CNN Cancels March 1 Georgia Debate

CNN says it's canceling a March 1 presidential debate in Georgia now that two and possibly three of the four candidates turned them down.

In a statement Thursday, CNN said Mitt Romney and Ron Paul had declined to take part. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that Rick Santorum was also doubtful.

"Without full participation of all four candidates, CNN will not move forward with the Super Tuesday debate," the network said in a news release.

Romney's campaign said Thursday that the former Massachusetts

governor has participated in 20 debates and was unable to schedule the Georgia forum. Santorum's campaign said the former Pennsylvania senator also is unlikely to attend.

That would leave only Newt Gingrich, the former Georgia congressman and U.S. speaker of the house.

CNN scheduled the debate a few days before what's known as SuperTuesday, when 10 states hold primaries and caucuses on March 6. Georgia is the largest state on the Super Tuesday calendar.

All four Republican candidates are scheduled to debate Feb. 22
in Mesa, Arizona.

Arizona and Michigan hold primaries on Feb. 28.

Georgia Republican Party Chairman Sue P. Everhart released this statement Thursday:

"On behalf of Republicans across Georgia and our friends in the Ohio Republican Party, I am deeply disappointed in today's developments regarding the 2012 Super Tuesday Republican Presidential Debate. The decision of Governor Romney, Senator Santorum and Congressman Paul to forego an opportunity to address our state's Republican primary voters, as well as voters across the nation, in a debate just days before Super Tuesday is truly disheartening. The efforts that Republican grassroots activists put in day after day should not go unrecognized, and it is my sincere hope that the candidates will reconsider this opportunity to speak directly to the driving force behind all that our Party will continue to accomplish.

"With 76 Delegates - the fourth-largest GOP delegation in the nation - Georgia's voice will be heard louder than ever on March 6th when Republican voters in the Peach State, Ohio and eight other states will take to the polls to place their vote for the next Republican President of the United States. I wish each of the candidates the best of luck moving forward, and trust that our Party's eventual nominee will not overlook Georgia's two-million plus Republican voters before the general election."