Story highlights Fox News "is pre-deciding an election," Paul said

"There's only one debate tonight. Let's be honest about this. And the thing is there is no equivalent," Paul said

Washington (CNN) Rand Paul said Thursday that the Republican Party and FOX News are trying to "pre-decide" who the Republican nominee will be.

"People have to realize that what the media is doing here is pre-deciding an election," he told CNN's Alisyn Camerota on "New Day."

Fox Business announced last month that its January 14 debate would include the top six candidates based on the average of the five most recent national polls, as well as those who finish in the top five in Iowa or New Hampshire. Paul failed to meet that criteria.

But Paul argued because the most recent Bloomberg/Des Moines Register poll was conducted within the time frame allowed -- although not released until Wednesday -- he should be included in the top-tier debate.

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