Third Party Candidate Actually Gets Into Debate
from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The contentious race for the United States Senate in Washington between Senator Maria Cantwell (D) and Republican challenger Mike McGavick got a little spicier last night as Bruce Guthrie, the Libertarian candidate, was allowed to participate in last night's televised debate. The debate on KING-5 Seattle can be viewed here. Guthrie met the station's requirements to be a "serious candidate," meaning that he has received at least 10% support in the polls and meets a fundraising threshold that he met by mortgaging his house. Green Party candidate, Aaron Dixon did not, and was arrested outside the television studio when he attempted to get inside.

This entire situation perfectly explains my anger at the current electoral process. How can you believe that the voters are getting a choice in this race when one challenger has to mortgage his house to get into a debate, another is arrested and the Democratic incumbent voted for the USA PATRIOT act? While it is great a third party candidate got into this one debate, how many others across the country have been excluded from other televised debates? It is clear that serious electoral reform is needed.

posted by santo26 | 02:25 PM