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IPFS News Link • Politics: Libertarian Campaigns

Bring Out a Third Lectern for Gary Johnson

• Ron Nielson

Could a third-party candidate appear on stage at the Sept. 26 presidential debate? That decision will be made by the small group of prominent Democrats and Republicans who control the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). Given the American public's widespread dissatisfaction with Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, the commission ought to let the Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson make his case.

The ritual of presidential debates overseen by the CPD may seem like a long-enshrined tradition, but it isn't. Established less than 30 years ago, the commission is a private charity supported by the Democratic and Republican parties.

The commission says that its primary purpose is to "provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners" through presidential and vice-presidential debates. Yet it plans to ignore a candidate whom 62% of American voters want to see in a debate, according to an August survey from Quinnipiac University.


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