Open Debates

[welshTerrier2]

source: http://www.commondreams.org/news2003/1014-10.htm

the questions i have about this are:

1. is it fair to assume that narrow control of debates by the two major parties really lessens the quality of the information the public can obtain about the democratic and republican candidates and

2. what should be the standard for third party candidates to participate in a presidential debate?

when we look at third party candidates, should they have to show some degree of political viability (say 5% of the vote or whatever) to participate? is it fair to exclude third party candidates from presidential debates?

i'm posting this to stimulate a discussion on these issues ...



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"We want the Commission on Presidential Debates to be exposed for what it truly is: a tool of the national Republican and Democratic parties that undermines voter education," said George Farah, Executive Director of Open Debates.

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Presidential debates were run by the civic-minded nonpartisan League of Women Voters until 1988, when the national Republican and Democratic parties seized control of the debates by establishing the bipartisan, corporate-funded, Commission on Presidential Debates. Co-chaired by the former heads of the Republican and Democratic parties, the Commission on Presidential Debates has sought to "protect" the major party candidates from challenging questions, difficult issues, and popular third party candidates. As a result, under the Commission on Presidential Debates’ control, the presidential debates have been reduced to "glorified news conferences," where the candidates merely recite prepackaged soundbites and avoid discussing important issues.

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