Third Party Candidates Jill Stein and Virgil Goode going to be Excluded From Debate With Obama

Democracy, elections and voting at Democracy Chronicles

Third Party Candidates Jill Stein and Virgil Goode are to be excluded from debate with Obama and Romney. From Ballot Access News, a post by founder Rick Hasen, found here, reveals the details of the debate for candidates that don’t happen to be from the Republicans or Democrats. Both major parties have solidified the Presidential debate control to the point where there will be no third party present. 320 million people and no third party? Well the third parties of America have organized their own debate featuring the major candidates like Jill Stein and Virgil Goode. The media will not be showing this debate even though the two-party debate is broadcast live on every channel in the country. Rick Hasen’s Ballot Access News has the latest information:

On September 19, Free & Equal announced that Gary Johnson, Jill Stein, and Virgil Goode have each agreed to participate in a presidential debate on October 23, Tuesday, at 8 p.m. central time. Free & Equal is sponsoring the debate. The Republican and Democratic nominees are also invited but it is very likely they will not attend. The last debate between the Democratic and Republican nominees will have been on October 22.

Free & Equal invited every candidate who was either on the ballot in states containing a majority of the electoral vote, or who have registered at 1% in a national opinion poll.  The event will be at the University Club of Chicago.

On their website, found here, Free and Equal is described as:

Free and Equal Elections is a 501 (c)3 non-profit formed to ensure an fair an open electoral process for all.  It is our belief that a true democracy fosters a climate where all voices are heard regardless of political party or persuasion.  We work with candidates across the political spectrum from: Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, and Socialist Equality Party, to promote an open voting process and help them through the complex process of getting on the ballot.  We also provide vital training for independent candidates and give them the necessary tools to recruit volunteers, raise money and run winning campaigns.