Politics / Ron Paul Ron Paul to Boycott Donald Trump Debate Scathing statement says it's 'beneath the office of the presidency' By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff Posted Dec 3, 2011 2:30 PM CST Copied Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, speaks at a Republican presidential debate in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Ron Paul has decided to join Jon Huntsman in skipping the Donald Trump-moderated Newsmax debate, and his campaign didn’t mince words in explaining why. “The selection of a reality television personality to host a presidential debate … is beneath the office of the Presidency and flies in the face of that office’s history and dignity,” the campaign said in a statement. “Mr. Trump’s participation will contribute to an unwanted circus-like atmosphere.” You can read the full statement at Politico, which observes that the Trump debate “looks like a kind of dignity test for the 2012 presidential field.” (More Ron Paul stories.) Report an error