In modern politics, the question of whether lesser-known third-party candidates should be invited to the Presidential Debates is a hotly debated topic in and of itself. In 2012, Gary Johnson is seeking the Presidency running under the Libertarian banner while Jill Stein is running under the Green Party banner. Along with President Obama and Mitt Romney, both Johnson and Stein will be on enough state ballots to theoretically win the 270 electoral votes needed to become President.
Taylor Tyler examines this topic over at IVN:
The CPD’s mission statement is as follows:
”The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) was established in 1987 to ensure that debates, as a permanent part of every general election, provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners. Its primary purpose is to sponsor and produce debates for the United States presidential and vice presidential candidates and to undertake research and educational activities relating to the debates. The organization, which is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) corporation, sponsored all the presidential debates in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000,2004 and 2008.”
For the CPD to successfully complete their mission of providing the best possible information to viewers and listeners, they must invite every candidate who has a mathematical chance of winning the presidential election. That is to say, a candidate must be listed on the ballot in enough states to be able to win 270 electoral votes.
There are currently four candidates who meet this requirement: Barack Obama, Gary Johnson, Mitt Romney, and Jill Stein. These four candidate also each receive matching FEC funds, which are paid for through the one dollar check off on individual income tax returns.
Since each of these candidates have varying opinions on the issues being debated, and each have different information to provide, they must be invited to participate in the debates. Failing to invite Gary Johnson and Jill Stein is failing to provide a large portion of information to the viewers and listeners.
Aside from already receiving matching FEC funds and the ability to theoretically win the 270 necessary electoral votes, there are a few more compelling reasons to bring this debate over participation requirements into the forefront:
With a record high percentage of U.S. voters identifying as independent from the Democratic and Republican parties, one would think that the Commission would feel obligated to invite candidates from outside the two-party system.
A poll released by Gallup on Sept. 12 asked, “Do the Republican and Democratic parties do an adequate job of representing the American people, or do they do such a poor job that a major third party is needed?” The results showed that 46 percent of Americans believe a third party is needed.
Ross Perot has been the only third party candidate invited to participate by the Commission when he was invited in 1992.
However, the reason for which most third-party candidates are not invited has to do with the 15% rule. Unless a candidate can show 15% in a series of national polls, they are instantly disqualified from receiving a debate invitation. This discussion can be argued both ways. It is somewhat reasonable to say that the likely winner of the election will either be President Obama or Mitt Romney, neither Johnson or Stein truly have a chance. However, in the same breath, it is arguable that the reason Stein and Johnson do not have as much of a chance has to do with the reasons outlined about which don't give them as much free press exposure.
I'm sure there are some strong opinions on this topic. I'd love to see some reader comments.
As a voter, I need to see options other than the two that have been shoved down my throat. Let Gary Johnson and Jill Stein debate! At this point, what have we got to lose? It has become clear that the democratic and republican parties "do not play well with others", so, let's see what else our great country has to offer.
I believe the American people deserve the opportunity to hear all of the presidential candidates during the debates and not just the views of the Democratic and Republican nominees! This is America and everyone should be given an equal opportunity to voice their intentions. There have been far too many choices for the position of whom most never had an equal opportunity to be heard or even mentioned at the polls. They should, at the least, list all of the candidates on the ballots allowing the voters an equal opportunity as to whom they wish to cast their vote in favor of.
I agree. All candidates with ballot access should be in the national debates. On this web site on the list of candidates there is no mention of Jill Stein, she 86% ballot access yet alot of people dont even know she is running, there is something very crooked and wrong happening here in the US.
I don't understand how there can be a presidential debate without including all the people who are running for president. I would love to hear more from Gary Johnson and don't think it it fair that he not be included.
Imagine suing to keep contenders off the ballot. Shows how much confidence they have in their campaign. Let Gary Johnson speak! I want to hear what he has to say! It is time to get big money out of our White House. Governing the United States is supposed to be public service not a road to riches and power. We as a people cannot thrive when the people have no more say. The big money has squelched the good guy. No more Pac money, no more unfair advantage, if you have a good plan we should be able to hear and vote on it.
At the Obamney rate of spending… Do we really need 4 more years of this nonsense!!! I really like Paul's views for this country right now. I don't like Johnson's as much, but they are close. I guess that's why Paul stands out so much, is how he defended the American people throughout his career and standing up for us against Congress. I do know write-in votes will not be counted in all states, so more choices is gem. If campaign money was capped for each candidate, I can't imagine how much fairer it would be. If we didn't have all these parties and just selected candidates, how much fairer and better for our country that would be…. No more choosing the richest Democrat or richest Republican.
Jill Stein? I'll look her up what is her website? Thanks
I find the amount of money being spent by both candidates on this campaign repugnant and the ads aired useless and more of the same. I've tuned them out long ago. Over the last four years I have lost heart in the democratic process as well as the democratic party. The following contribute to my disenchantment:
1. There are more than two candidates running for president who are not being given the opportunity to debate. (The same thing happened to Dennis Kucinich 4 years ago in Las Vegas. It was NBC/MSNBC who decided who would debate in one of the final Democratic debates. I say YES, open the debates to all third party candidates. Even if they don't win, they bring life and new ideas to the table, give the democratic and republican hopefuls a run for their money, and the electorate alternatives.
2. The electoral system is broken and corrupt and like nearly every other corporate and governmental body, is driven by greed. The big 3 networks are the real winners. (The French have a system worth looking at – no campaign funds required.)
3. The obscene amount of money contributed by corporations and CEOs to elect their favorite candidates should be turned over to the American people for the losses they've incurred over the last five years at the hands of the same.
4. The difference between the democratic and republican party become more and more negligible every year. The two parties leave the people with little choice. Again, YES, open the debates up to third party candidates.
include gary johnson in all debates
Expanded Debate available on Democracy Now!
Democracy Now! http://www.democracynow.org/ Democracy Now! on Wednesday 3 October 2012 at 8:30pm EST, will host a special expanded presidential debate. They will pause after questions to President Obama and Mitt Romney, to include equal time responses from presidential candidates Jill Stein of the Green Party and Rocky Anderson of the Justice Party.
Not as useful as having a third party candidate at the podiums with Obama and Romney, but should be interesting nevertheless.
As a young American voter, I feel that I am hearing more and more of my peers comment that they do not want to vote for either Romney or Obama. With that said, many of them believe that the two are their only options. Most Americans do not realize that the country is not only made of two political halves. My opinion is that if the underdog candidates were able to join the debates, we would see a drastic change in polls and in American spirit. I feel that we are being cheated out of a choice. The media is trying to glaze over Gary Johnson and Jill Stein, (not to mention the others), and it's time we took the wool from our eyes. It is time to bring Gary and Jill into the debates. I'm ready to feel pride in my country again.
Let's see.. Republican party, Democratic party, Green party, Libertarian party, Independent party, Constitution party, America first party, Christian Liberty party, Freedom Socialist party, United States Pirate party, Socialist party USA, Socialist Workers party, Independence Party of America etc. etc.
Seriously people, I sit behind people at McDonalds for what seems like days because they can't choose which value meal. Do you think they could choose a President when you have 10 or twenty people babbling on a stage about what they are going to do?
Why don't we just give them one choice then? That would make things go even faster. Oh wait…we already do. But seriously, imagine pulling up to the McDonald's drive through and all you could order was a Big Mac Combo. The world would be a better place! Paradise even! Carry on.
I don't really have a big problem with more people debating, but I think there should be a way to narrow down the field to two people before the final vote. If we had four people running then someone could get elected with just 26% of the vote. That could be disastrous. A President 74% of the people don't want.
David: On another thread here, we decided that anyone who can get on enough state ballots to possibly win 270 electoral votes SHOULD be included in the debates. I think that would only include Libertarian, maybe Green
There is another candidate who can win this election. Jill Reed, she is running as an independent with Tom Cary as her Vice President. The American people need to hear her plan to bring our country out of bankruptcy. If Jill Reed/Tom Cary are on the ballot in your state or your state allows write-in- votes, cast your vote for Jill Reed/Tom Cary .
Beverly:
I'll check. I know that the GOP filed a lawsuit to keep Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate, off the ballot in Michigan.
I just checked her out as well. She is amazing! A little hard to get to know, but once you do, she's is definitely a good candidate. Not electable, but still deserves to win.