Open the Presidential Debates!

Okay, time for action.

The first Presidential debate is Friday.

And we're getting stonewalled.

They won't let Ralph Nader into the Presidential debates.

So, here's what we're going to do.

It's a two step process.

Step one -- call Barack Obama.

Tell Obama he should demand that Ralph Nader be included in the debates.

And step two -- e-mail the Commission on Presidential Debates.

And let them know you are onto their game.

Here are the details.

Step one:

Call Barack Obama at 866-675-2008.
Hit 6 to speak with a campaign volunteer.
Once connected, politely deliver the following message:

Hi, my name is ...

I was wondering if Senator Obama, being a believer in equal opportunity and equal rights, could insist that Ralph Nader and other ballot qualified third party candidates be included in the upcoming Presidential debates?

After all, Nader is on 45 state ballots.

And he's polling well nationwide. And he could help Senator Obama challenge the corporate Republicans.

True, Ralph would critique Senator Obama for his corporate ties also. But isn't that what democracy is about? Could you please leave this message for the campaign manager? Thank you.


Step two:

E-MAIL Janet Brown, the executive director of the Commission on Presidential Debates.

Here's a sample e-mail:

Dear Janet Brown:

Greetings.
You must be busy.
Preparing for the first Presidential debate this Friday.
So, I won't take much of your time.
Just wanted to let you know that the American people were not born yesterday.
We know the deal.
Take that little private corporation that you run.
Controlled by the two corporate parties.
And funded by big business.
For the purpose of excluding independent minded candidates.
Friday, two Wall Street candidates are scheduled to be in the ring.
Barack Obama and John McCain.
The one candidate who represents the American people, Main Street, if you will, will be on the outside looking in.
So, here's a simple request.
Drop your exclusionary restrictions.
And let Ralph Nader into the debates.
It will be good for your conscience.
Good for the American people. (I believe it was The League of Women Voters that called your corporatized debates "campaign-trail charades devoid of substance, spontaneity, and honest answers to tough questions.")
And good for democracy.
Let the American people have a real debate for once.
Main Street vs. Wall Street.

Thank you.

Signed

your name.


Onward to November

The Nader Team
www.votenader.org

[edit on 24-9-2008 by Klemperer]

[edit on 24-9-2008 by Klemperer]

[edit on 24-9-2008 by Klemperer]

I'm not as gung-ho as many other supporters, but personally I would rather see Ron Paul in the debate over Nader. Never really liked that guy too much, but hey, he's the one running.

Mr. Ventura should ask some of the hard questions since no one else really seems to.

Just watch, the debates will have the same questions, getting the same rehashed answers we've been hearing all this time. Maybe a word or two will be changed... but it'll be the same. A lot of topics might not even be relevant...

I am all for opening the Presidential Debates, however your post seems more about shilling for Nader and not opening the debates to all 3rd party candidates. Personally I like Chuck Baldwin and would love to hear him in this type of forum next to the big two, unfortunately it is my belief that they would be treated as jokes and discredited and poked fun at much like Ron Paul was during the primaries, and if any of them began to build up any kind of steam, they would just be excluded much like Ron Paul was in the NH debates.

reply to post by MrWendal


Agreed. It should be noted however that getting nader in this year paves way for his supporter, jesse ventura, in 2012. nader and ventura ask the same questions about 911, and i would LOVE to hear nader flat out ask mccain-obama if they want to reopen the investigation.


also, nader is demanding that bob barr be allowed to debate as well.

nader is at 6% nationwide, expected to get 10% by november.
barr is at 2%.
imagine if they could debate...they would become the two frontrunners.