“The first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary serves a national purpose by giving all candidates an equal opportunity on a level playing field,” Fergus Cullen, head of the New Hampshire Republican Party, said in a statement released Saturday regarding the network’s decision to part ways with his organization. “Only in New Hampshire do lesser known, lesser funded underdogs have a fighting chance to establish themselves as national figures. Consistent with that tradition, we believe all recognized major candidates should have an equal opportunity to participate in pre-primary debates and forums.”

As Big Head DC reported earlier, Cullen felt that Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter should be included in a GOP candidate forum scheduled for Sunday evening to be broadcast on FOX News. Network heads, however, felt differently, so they broke ties with the state GOP today.

“The New Hampshire Republican Party believes Congressmen Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter should be included in the FOX forum on Sunday evening,” Cullen said. ”Our mutual efforts to resolve this difference have failed.”

Concluded Cullen: “While we understand that FOX News continues to move forward it is with regret, the New Hampshire Republican Party hereby withdraws as a partner in this forum.”

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Big Head DC hears that Fergus Cullen, head of the New Hampshire GOP, has caved to demands to include Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter in FOX News Channel’s Sunday evening forum, and has therefore withdrawn from the partnership the state Republican Party had previously secured with the network.

Big Head DC contacted FOX News to find out whether the forum was still in play and we’re told it will continue as scheduled with Huckabee, Romney, McCain, Giuliani and Thompson, serving as the last exchange between the candidates before Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary.

Moderated by Chris Wallace, the 90-minute forum is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET live on FNC. David Rhodes, Vice President of News for Fox News Channel said in a statement, “We look forward to presenting a substantive forum which will serve as the first program of its kind this election season.”

UPDATE: New Hampshire GOP Strikes Back at FOX News

Earlier: FOX News to Host Special GOP Candidate Forum

Baltimore Sun Confirms Big Head DC’s Ron Paul Scoop

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I did it. I can’t fix it. But there’s no turning back.

Rep. Duncan Hunter is running for Prez under the header “the conservative’s conservative.” Does that mean more spending? Because I swear that Bush ran under the same banner.

Senate Dems can’t decide on the best way not to support Bush.

Don’t even think about supporting Hillary, if you don’t have at least $1 million.

Everybody may hate Chris Matthews, but they sure do love Pell grants. But at what cost to other student programs?

D Street is cursed. Must avoid D Street.

More black days for Barack Obama.

Al Gore nominated for both Oscar and Nobel Peace Prize. I’d want the Oscar. 

Pentagon uses the Internet to make it appear like less troops have been mutilated in Iraq. Crazy Web heads.

Rent Groundhog Day on the way home from work tonight. It’s a classic!

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