• In Canada, the TV networks initially tried to exclude Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, from the September 10 debates before the October 14 national election. After the Greens launched a “reclaim democracy” campaign and Canadians throughout the country demanded Ms. May’s inclusion, Ms. May was invited to participate. Americans who value democracy and fair elections should demand multi-party debates too.
Ralph Nader, the other progressive voice, organized "Open the Debates" rallies and knows better than any candidate how fixed these debates are. He put out this statement, which was published today in USA Today:
Two decades ago, the Republicrats hijacked our presidential debates from the League of Women Voters, and replaced the stewards of the one public debate that is watched by tens of millions with a two-party citadel run by a couple of party cronies.
Walter Cronkite, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the league, respectively, call the commission debates: “unconscionable fraud,” “mockery” and “charades devoid of substance, spontaneity, and honest answers to tough questions.”
This private commission, funded by large corporations that my running mate, Matt Gonzalez, and I have gone after for years, says you have to be at 15% in five undisclosed stealth polls by five stealth media conglomerates that have shut us out all campaign.
That catch-22 threshold suffocates third parties and their fresh ideas. If Minnesota did the same, Jesse Ventura never would have jumped from single digits to governor.
All six candidates who are on enough state ballots to win the election should be allowed to debate. The majority of Americans in a 2004 Zogby poll agree with that idea.
Even all 65 ranked teams at the NCAA tournament get a chance at the Final Four. Rationing debates rations voter choice.
Nader's currently at "Real Time w/ Bill Maher" waiting to go on the air at 11 pm tonight.
So, as the debate begins, sit at your desktops or laptops, grab a drink and snack, get comfortable in your easychair or deskchair, and enter the chat rooms with furious vigor and passion.
Do it because you believe in something more than what the two parties are offering.
Do it because you know candidates who can get past draconian ballot access laws deserve to be able to have their voice heard.
And also, go to Rate the Debates after the show to voice your approval or disapproval of how the debate was run.
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