Not at this debate
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- October
- 2
When you’re watching the Vice Presidential Debate you might want to think about one issue that’s not likely to come up tonight, nor at any of the Presidential debates – who controls the debates. The debates are sponsorsed by the Commission on Presidential Debates, a private nonprofit organization that’s had the honor since 1988. The Commission, however, has been criticized for being too close to the Republican and Democratic party establishments. In fact, the Commission’s co-chairs are the former heads of the Republican and Democratic national comittees, Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr. and Paul G. Kirk Jr., respectively.
One of the commission’s chief critics is Open Debates, another nonprofit group which says this insider coziness results in moderators who limit the range of issues covered, and an animosity toward thirrd-party candidates. Though indenpendent candidate Ross Perot did debate in 1992, Open Debates contends that was only because incumbent George H.W. Bush believed it would be to his advantage and that Bill Clinton feared a backlash if he blocked Perot’s inclusion. Since then, the Commission’s shut the door on independents such as Ralph Nader or Bob Barr, who are on the ballot this year.
This record is in stark contrast to the League of Women Voters’ debate sponsorship from 1976 through 1984, Open Debates contends. In 1980, the League insisted on including independent candidate John B. Anderson along with Ronald Reagan and incumbent Jimmy Carter. When Carter decided to boycott the debate because of Anderson’s inclusion, the League stood its ground and held a debate between Reagan and Anderson on Sept. 21.
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on Thursday, October 2nd, 2008 at 1:18 pm by Len Maniace.
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Perrot was the last 3rd party Presidential candidate to make a real difference in an election and it has been largely due to the 2 major parties from dominating these debates. They know if the debates are open then 3rd parties have a chance to win.
Back in the late 90’s Jessie Ventura was running for Govenor and before the debates he was polling at less than 10%. After several debates Ventura’s poll numbers skyrocketed and he eventually won election. Now he was not 3rd party but it does show how lesser known candidates can impact a race when publicly known.
Right now the press is making an open stand to not cover the Presidential bids of Ralph Nader and Bob Barr. Their reasoning? They publicly feel that neither candidate has a chance to win therefore they refuse to report on them. Isn’t that interesting?
The Washington post issued a statement that they were purposely not reporting on Nader for this very reason yet they continuously report on the Washington Nationals which was the worst team in baseball this year.
It’s more than debates but it starts there. The biased and corrupted debate commission and the Main Stream Media colluding to exclude candidates is serving only to further deny voters the very Democracy we think we have.
Right now Open Debates is working on putting together a very public debate featuring 4 candidates of 3rd party lines in NYC. Hopefully if enough people wake up to the blatant exclusion and rigged system the Dems and Reps have created then perhaps some real change can take place.
Ron Paul is pushing hard for a more open system including of many respected 3rd party’s. Neither Palin or Biden will address this at all. they are afraid of it.
John Anderson, wow, I voted for him. Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane!
Ah JOHN ANDERSON and his word ‘shibboleth’ made him seem so much smarter than all the rest. How E-Z the AMERIKAN people are misled. RON PAUL and BOB BARR are ‘NO’ JOHN ANDERSON. Ha. Another line that was untrue – and yet the MORONIC NATIONAL MEDIA gushed over ‘it’ as if phony LLOYD BENTSEN was the best thing since ‘UNCLE BEN’S QWIK RICE’.
Bush believed it was to his advantage to include Perot??? Unlikely. Did Gore think it was to his advantage to include Nader? If either of them did believe that, it was their first mistake as well as their last chance to make a mistake. Both effectively lost their elections due to the third party candidate.