Obama, Romney Not Attending as Four Candidates Hold Underground Debate About America’s Future
Democracy, elections and voting at Democracy Chronicles
Ballot Access News, the blog of election activist and reformer Richard Winger, had the following post titled “Free & Equal Presidential Debate Will Include Four Candidates.” It gives the latest update on the presidential debate featuring the four parties considered to represent the opposition to the Republican and Democratic joint control of the government.
Gary Johnson is perhaps the most prominent as the candidate of the small government Libertarian Party. Also, Jill Stein of the Green Party has the support of those who want government action on the environment beyond what is being offered by the Democratic Party. Virgil Goode of the Constitution Party and Rocky Anderson of the newly-formed Justice Party will round out the debate.
The fact that these four people will not be involved in the debates between Obama and Romney is a testament to the weakness of American democracy. We need to encourage involvement in politics and even if these candidates do no better than Romney’s Republican opponents in the primaries, it will still give the American people a more appropriate picture of the diversity of the country. Take a look at the Ballot Access News post:
Free & Equal’s presidential debate, set for October 23 at the University Club of Chicago, will include four presidential candidates: Gary Johnson, Jill Stein, Virgil Goode, and Rocky Anderson. They are the only presidential candidates who have ever polled as much as 1% in any national neutral poll.
On their website, found here, Free & 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.
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