Four Vice Presidential Candidates to Debate in Ohio

Published on September 29, 2004 By Gideon MacLeish In Politics

From Michael Badnarik's campaign website (www.badnarik.org):

FOUR VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TO DEBATE IN OHIO
September 29

Unscripted Debate Offers Voters a Rare Opportunity to Hear Issues Not Discussed in the Exclusive, Two-Party Controlled Debates

A rare debate among four vice presidential candidates - from the Libertarian, Constitution and Green parties, as well as Ralph Nader’s independent ticket - will take place on Tuesday, October 5, at the John Patrick Theatre at Baldwin Wallace College in Cleveland, Ohio, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Debate organizers say the debate between Richard Campagna, Chuck Baldwin, Patricia LaMarche and Peter Camejo will offer voters a stark contrast to the watered-down and scripted banter expected from the Edwards-Cheney debate taking place the same day in the same city.

The debate is unusual not only because so many diverse viewpoints will be represented, but also because of its format. All questions for the candidates will come from Baldwin College students. Following the hour and a half long debate, there will be an intermission and then the debate participants and audience will watch a live broadcast of the staged, exclusive “debate” between Edwards and Cheney. At approximately 10:30 p.m., following the conclusion of the Edwards-Cheney exchange, the four vice presidential candidates gathered at Baldwin Wallace College will offer their rebuttals.

The four vice presidential candidates have joined together in unprecedented solidarity to advance a common interest of democratizing the American political system and giving voters the choices that they demand and deserve. A recent Zogby poll found that over 40% of all Americans would like to see David Cobb, Michael Badnarik, Michael Peroutka and Ralph Nader participate in the televised presidential debates.

The Baldwin-Wallace Student Government is the sponsor of the vice presidential debate. “Baldwin Wallace students are proud to sponsor an event of this caliber which gives voters an opportunity to hear all voices - the essence of a true democracy. We’re excited to share this experience with our students, local community and with the entire nation as well.” said Chris Glassburn, Senator at Baldwin-Wallace.

Joint Release
Please Contact:
Jason Neville (Cobb/LaMarche): Jason@votecobb.org 504-338-3683
Ed Noyes (Badnarik/Campagna): ednoyes@natel.net 641-233-1222
Rachel Odes (Nader//Camejo): rachel@votenader.org 510-459-0614
Scott Whiteman (Peroutka/Baldwin) scott@peroutka2004.com 410-768-2280 x 292

Comments

Grim Xiozan

on Sep 29, 2004

I just wish the government would some more support to third parties, seeing as they don't have even a fraction of the funds that the Big Two have, either that cut down those Big Two to completely even out their playing field down to the level of third parties or at least ensure that even major news networks carry something from third parties as well. More publicity for them, more exposure, more votes or more influence.

Off Topic: On the subject of John Brown and Che, well I was watching a movie and got reminded of an Irish Freedom fighter who could also serve as a better replacement for Che, that man being Michael Collins.

- GX
"I have no answers to your questions, but I can question your demands." - Motto Inspired by Laibach's WAT

drmiler

on Sep 29, 2004

Reply #1 By: Grim Xiozan - 9/29/2004 6:15:43 PM
I just wish the government would some more support to third parties, seeing as they don't have even a fraction of the funds that the Big Two have, either that cut down those Big Two to completely even out their playing field down to the level of third parties or at least ensure that even major news networks carry something from third parties as well. More publicity for them, more exposure, more votes or more influence

There's a reason they don't have the big money and here it is.
Primary Candidates General Election
Major Party Nominees Minor/New Party Nominees
National Spending Limit $10 mil. + COLA**
$20 mil. + COLA
$20 mil. + COLA

State Spending Limit The greater of $200,000 + COLA or $0.16 x state VAP***
None
None

Exempt Fundraising Limit 20% of national limit
Not applicable
20% of national limit

Maximum Public Funds Candidate May Receive 50% of national limit
Same as national limit
Percentage of national limit based on candidate's popular vote.

National Party Spending Limit for Candidate**** Not applicable
$0.02 x VAP of U.S. + COLA
$0.02 x VAP of U.S. + COLA

Limit on Spending from Candidate's Personal Funds $50,000
$50,000
$50,000

Link

It all boils down to how many votes thyey get!

sandy2

on Sep 29, 2004

Darn. I though you meant the two main candidates and maybe the libertarian candidate and the green party candidate when you said four vps to debate.

Gideon MacLeish

on Sep 29, 2004

sandy,

sadly, no, the big two refuse to allow the other candidates to the table. That should concern everyone, as the instability of their respective platforms becomes increasingly obvious.

Personally, I don't feel that political parties should be publicly subsidized. The biggest reason that third party candidates don't get the votes is that only a minority of voters are fully exposed to their platform. Many voters as well are lured to third parties, but are warned away by the threat of "wasting their vote".

In my opinion, the only vote wasted is one spent voting for a candidate in which you don't believe (anybody but bushers take note).

sandy2

on Sep 29, 2004

Well.. Gideon I see your point.. but lol since I'm a "democrat" I don't have a problem with the libertarian party not being represented, although it would be nice, so much as I have a problem with pre-scripted extremley stringent debates. More like a giant free advertisment for the two main candidates. I would rather they really debate. And yes, it would be nice to have some others there to keep everyone honest.

Gideon MacLeish

on Sep 29, 2004

but lol since I'm a "democrat" I don't have a problem with the libertarian party not being represented,

Honestly, though, you should, as should any honest Republican. Democracy doesn't work unless a wide variety of voices are heard.

It is for this reason that I sign virtually every petition for a candidate to get on a ballot whether I agree with them or not (the same reason I posted the Green and Constitutional Party platforms on my blog site as well as the LP platform), and the same reason I sign the majority of petitions that are designed to be ballot initiatives for voters to vote on (except when it comes to higher taxes or personal liberties intrustions; I won't sign those sorts of petitions).

sandy2

on Sep 29, 2004

it would be nice to have some others there to keep everyone honest.

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