Opening the debates

[slacker921]

Ron Paul supporters should know first hand what it means when a candidate is excluded from a debate. The Presidential debates have been closed to third party candidates since Ross Perot broke into them (and subsequently raked in 20% of the vote).

If the Paul supporters worked hard to make ALL debates more open then it would help spread the message that the two parties want to squelch. By all debates I mean debates for state and national level races.

How can you help?

Sign petitions
http://opendebates.org/yourrole/petition/

Call the Council on Presidential Debates and ask them to invite Barr, Baldwin, McKinney, Nader.. include all of them for the first debate. (202) 872-1020


Keep threads on this topic bumped up - or if you're a mod make a topic sticky. Topics on this get buried very quickly by the "9/11, palin, reptillian, etc BS"

[acptulsa]

An excellent priority. I wonder if a 'give it back to the DAR' angle would be most effective? People did get sick of the softballs during one stage of the primary season--one of Hillbama's last appearances. That could be the way to tap it.

[slacker921]

Here's another place you can help (especially if you're in NC)..

http://munger4ncgov.com/?q=node/38

Sound Off, North Carolina!

After spending a quarter of a million dollars and countless volunteer hours collecting 100 thousand signatures to be added to the ballot, North Carolina's Libertarian candidate for governor is still being excluded from debates.

Let WRAL TV know that Mike should be invited to the debate on September 9th by clicking here (http://www.wral.com/apps/feedback/feedback/?d_id_person=205).

Let the Public School Forum of North Carolina know that Mike should be in the debate on September 19th by clicking here (http://www.ncforum.org/contact/).

If you aren't familiar with Mike Munger he's a very articulate and knowledgeable candidate.. he would stand up well in the debates.

[heavenlyboy34]

It would be helpful to post snail mail info for all the key people. They usually just delete emails and ignore phone calls. Whoever does that, I appreciate you! :D I owe you a handshake!

[slacker921]

Here's a decent press conference from the folks at opendebates.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B2GOK4CaeU
that points out why the CPD is breaking tax laws.

and here's the mailing adddress for the Commission on Presidential Debates. I should point out that I couldn't find this on their web site. They don't want you to contact them apparently (however if you call them at the number listed above they will take your opinion without hassle)

Commission On Presidental Debates
1200 New Hampshire Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036-6802

[slacker921]

you can see what was attempted 4 years ago here: http://www.debatethis.org/action.html

and these folks seem to have given up 4 years ago: http://www.citizensdebate.org/news.html


If the Campaign for Liberty is about spreading the message, then why is it not working to get Barr and Baldwin into the debates where they can spread the message?

[MRoCkEd]

If the Campaign for Liberty is about spreading the message, then why is it not working to get Barr and Baldwin into the debates where they can spread the message?
I hope this is a top priority

[Peace&Freedom]

... here's the mailing adddress for the Commission on Presidential Debates. I should point out that I couldn't find this on their web site. They don't want you to contact them apparently (however if you call them at the number listed above they will take your opinion without hassle)

Commission On Presidental Debates
1200 New Hampshire Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036-6802

A better suggestion: contact the Obama and McCain HQ directly, melt their phones and fax machines down to get them to include third party candidates in the CPD debates, or to attend a debate held outside the auspices of the CPD. There's nothing stopping Mac from picking up the phone and arranging an independent debate with Obama that is inclusive---they just don't want to, but would rather let a private group foisting itself off as a public service organization take the blame.

CPD exists to act as a shunt, to take all the heat from excluding the third party candidates, so the Democrats and Republicans don't have to. All the people on the panel of the Commission are veteran DEM/GOP hacks, no way are they going to let anybody else into the debates. Cut out the middle man, and let's drop a 'complain bomb' on the direct culprits who keep everybody out of the show---the two major parties.

[Kotin]

bump

[slacker921]

A better suggestion: contact the Obama and McCain HQ directly, melt their phones and fax machines down to get them to include third party candidates in the CPD debates, or to attend a debate held outside the auspices of the CPD. There's nothing stopping Mac from picking up the phone and arranging an independent debate with Obama that is inclusive---they just don't want to, but would rather let a private group foisting itself off as a public service organization take the blame.

CPD exists to act as a shunt, to take all the heat from excluding the third party candidates, so the Democrats and Republicans don't have to. All the people on the panel of the Commission are veteran DEM/GOP hacks, no way are they going to let anybody else into the debates. Cut out the middle man, and let's drop a 'complain bomb' on the direct culprits who keep everybody out of the show---the two major parties.

The only way that might work.. is if we hammered McCain to get Nader and McKinney in and hammered Obama to get Barr and Baldwin in... but I think a snowball stands a better chance in hell... there is no way McCain is going to willingly let Barr in a debate. We need an organization with enough resources (cash and supporters) to force the two parties to debate with the third parties. CFL?....

.... meanwhile the day ticks by and the third parties won't be in a presidential debate this year. They'll each be lucky to get 1% of the national vote on Nov 4th. They need to get above 1% to stay on the ballot in some states..

[slacker921]

ok, given that Ron Paul said we need to all work on getting third party candidates into the debates... shouldn't we have a grassroots project category for opening the debates?

It doesn't appear that the CFL is going to organize the effort so it's going to have to come from here. ?

[cujothekitten]

Bump ^_^