This post is twofold - 1) I'm eager to hear what you'all think about this - hence, I'm starting a discussion here
and 2) I wanted to ask for your help (especially if you're independent-minded and concerned about keeping "independent voices" in the debates:
At the conclusion of the July 12th NAACP candidate forum in Detroit, Senator Hillary Clinton and former Senator John Edwards “privately” discussed their interest in narrowing the participants in future debates. This exchange took place after a forum in which former Senator Mike Gravel delivered a sharp critique of the role President Bill Clinton played in enacting NAFTA and Congressman Dennis Kucinich criticized the “top tier's” record on issues of voter fraud.
Go to
Independent Voting for the link to the Clinton/Edwards interchange (which is on YouTube)
The exchange between Clinton and Edwards in which they discuss the need to eliminate "unserious" candidates from future televised debates has become news. Fox has done a televised segment, and an AP story is circulating widely.
Now it's time for the voice of independent voters to be heard!
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has scheduled a debate every month until the end of the year. This is an important moment for independents to let DNC Chair Howard Dean know that we do not want him to eliminate the independent voices from the presidential debates!
Here is how you can take action:
1. Call/E-mail/Fax Howard Dean (and please cc me at
gwenmand@aol.com on any letters you send) to let him know that you support the continued participation of ALL the Democratic candidates in the debates. Below is a sample letter and information on how to contact Dean.
2. Sign up to be a part of the independent movement and receive regular e-mail updates. (You can take the 2008 Independents Presidential Poll at the site also)
Sample E-mail, Fax, or Letter
Dear Chairman Howard Dean,
I am outraged at Senators Clinton and Edwards' conversation at the close of the NAACP forum about narrowing the field for upcoming debates.
In my opinion, candidates such as Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel play a very important role in broadening the debate on crucial issues. Their exclusion would be bad for the democratic process and would shut down important conversation.
I urge you to make sure the debates remain open and inclusive of all the candidates.
Your Name and State
To contact Howard Dean and the Democratic National Committee:
Email:
Deanh@DNC.org
Phone: 202-863-8000
Fax: 202-863-8174
Personally, I'm not surprised that the dealmaking to exclude the insurgents is underway (It's typical Clintonism) - but I can't believe they let themselves be caught redhanded like that!
I'm going to send a letter to Obama too. I'm eager to see where he stands on this.
Gwen
Independent Voting
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