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Mitt Romney's camp, using a strategy often employed by self-funding candidates, sucessfully stonewalled the Dec. 4 Iowa debate into cancellation. Romney's advantage in Iowa comes from being able to maximize paid media, and denying free media to his opponents is to his favor.

That strategy however, has drawn the ire of the Iowa Republican party. The email sent by the Iowa Republican Party political director to all the county chairs and state central committee members, per Jonathan Martin: 

From: Craig Robinson
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2007 2:29 PM 
To: 'Craig Robinson' 
Subject: FOX News - RPI Debate Cancelled   

Dear Friends,   Because of Mitt Romney’s unwillingness to participate, the upcoming Republican Party of Iowa/FOX News Channel Presidential Debate on December 4th has been cancelled.   

We are very disappointed that Iowa Republicans will not have the same opportunity as Republicans in New Hampshire, Florida and South Carolina had earlier this year with their FOX News Debates.    

The Republican Party of Iowa decided to partner with FOX News Channel because of their willingness to broadcast a live prime-time debate, with a large audience comprised of activist and caucus goers from all of Iowa’s 99 counties.  We were also working with FOX News on a remote broadcast from one of Iowa’s 1784 precincts, featuring caucus goers from that precinct.   

It was our hope to use a nationally-broadcast debate on FOX News and FOX News Radio to showcase Iowa’s unique caucus system at a time when the most people would be paying attention to the Presidential race in the days leading up to January 3rd.   

You will be able to watch the Republican Presidential Candidates debate on TV before the January 3rd Caucuses at the following other debates:   Sunday, December 9, 2007 – 7:00 p.m. EST:  Univision Television   Wednesday, December 12, 2007 – 1:00 p.m. CST: Des Moines Register Debate, moderated by Carolyn Washburn and broadcast by Iowa Public Television.   

Again, we are disappointed that this debate has been cancelled.  We know that hundreds of you have requested tickets and made plans to attend. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.