If you can't debate 'em. . .
Since he was wasn't invited to participate in Tuesday's debate between Democrat Ted Strickland and Republican Ken Blackwell, Libertarian Bill Peirce sent this invitation to reporters:
Titled: "Have a beer with Bill," the invitation says:
"Bill Peirce, an independent candidate for Governor in November’s election, was recently denied a spot in the gubernatorial candidates debate taking place in Youngstown, Ohio on Tuesday, September 5, 2006. The debate sponsors, WFMJ-TV and the Youngstown Vindicator, have refused to allow any independent candidates to participate in the debate.
When asked why he should be included in the debate, Peirce (pronounced 'purse') had this to say: 'I have spent the last year campaigning full time. I secured the endorsement of Ohio's third largest political party and submitted a nominating petition containing over 13,000 signatures from all 88 counties in Ohio. I have a Ph.D. in Economics from Princeton University, taught economics at Case Western Reserve University for more than 35 years, and have published books on bureaucratic failure, energy economics, and technological change. The people of Ohio deserve to hear from an economic specialist who can lead them out of problems that career politicians of both major parties have caused.'
Peirce and his campaign, practiced in the art of making lemonade from lemons, invite you to join Bill for a drink after the debate at Cedar's Lounge & Restaurant (23 N. Hazel St., a brief walk from the debate), where Bill will be available from noon until 4:00 p.m. Bill will be answering the same questions posed to Ted Strickland and Ken Blackwell during the debate, along with any other questions from the media. We hope to see you Tuesday!
In an interview, Charles Peirce, campaign manager, spokesman and the candidate's son, called it ironic that his father is not invited to the third formal debate at the University of Cincinnati on Oct. 4 where the topic is the economy. That's because his dad is the only economist running for governor.
3 Comments:
at 4:45 PM, September 04, 2006 
Anonymous said...
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at 8:30 PM, September 14, 2006 
Anonymous said...
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at 8:54 PM, September 15, 2006 
Anonymous said...
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Post a Comment*Jon, the question is why should they be excluded?
He's on the ballot so the these hosts and stations have the burden of explaining the reason he and Fitrakis have been excluded. If you were a good reporter you would have covered their pathetic excuse for the exclusion of qualified candidates.
You and your paper have a responsibility to question those in authority that are using undemocratic election practices. This makes you compilicit in denying us our rights to have our voices represented in these debates.
You are aren't a reporter, you're just another stenographer!
Shame on you Jon!!!
It has been been verified with the heads of the debate sponsors that the media that hosts the debates have had no say in the format or content of the debates. The Blackwell and Strickland campaigns set ALL the parameters.
So what that comes down to is the media and other sponsors don't have the sack to stand up to major parties and follow The Society of Professional Journalists code of Ethics:
Seek Truth and Report It
— Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.
— Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
— Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of information can be equally valid.
— Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. (The debates are a major party advertisement – NOT NEWS)
— Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public's business is conducted in the open and that government records are open to inspection. (Debates are public business – ensure that they are OPEN)
Act Independently
Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know.
— Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.
— Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage.
Be Accountable
— Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media. (Other media outlets should expose the above unethical conduct of the hosting media outlets)
Basically, the two major-party candidates are colluding to block out competitors. They have everything to lose and nothing to gain by debating Peirce.
It's patently absurd that a gubernatorial debate on the economy would exclude the only Ivy League-educated economist on the ballot (as an independent), in a state where 27% of voters are registered independent.
I agree with the above poster - it's of supreme importance for the media to call the major candidates out on this BS and insist on open debates.
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