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Cornell Hosts Third-Party Presidential Debates

Posted by timothy on from the thanks-a-lot-cpd dept.

clonebarkins writes "Tonight at 8:00, Cornell is hosting the third party presidential debate. Candidates debating are Michael Badnarik (Libertarian Party), Walt Brown (Socialist Party), David Cobb (Green Party), and Michael Peroutka (Constitution Party). Unfortunately, I cannot find any information about whether or not it will be broadcast anywhere."

2 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Ralph Nader? by h8macs · · Score: 5, Informative

    He has been invited to EVERY third party debate, however he has not accepted any of the invitations.

    --
    :-( --- argh. Despair, I owe again. :-b
  2. Re:What A Load of Crap by rhakka · · Score: 5, Insightful

    why they weren't eligable?

    Maybe because it's pretty much IMPOSSIBLE to hit 15% in a preliminary poll unless you happen to be a member of one of the two ruling parties?

    Jesse Ventura shows however that in a 3 way race, you can rise from below that staggerringly high marker to win an election. From a good Debate, no less.

    Ross Perot was on track to be a serious contender for the presidency when he ran the first time. He would not have met the CPD's criteria either.

    15% is way, way, way too high.

    AFAICT there are only two fair ways to do debates. 1. if you are on enough ballots to theoretically win the presidency, you are in. 2. widespread polling of who the people want to see in the debate.. not who they would necessarily vote for on Nov 2, but who they would like to see in the debate.

    You are happy with a duopoly, apparently. The silent majority of this country who no longer vote because they have realized nothing in this system represents them, and that all they are fed from presidential candidates is bullshit stacked on crap do not agree. At the very least including more candidates in the debates stands a chance of raising voting participation rates.

    Saying GEE IF YOU WANT MORE THAN TWO WE HAVE TO INCLUDE ALL OF THEM is simply stupid, simplistic, and shows you have no idea whatsoever what the words "healthy democracy" means, nor do you care. I care. This is not abstract theoretical stuff. It's simple, practical and real; a two party system that shuts out all other voices hurts us all.