The exclusion of Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel from the Des Moines Register debate last Thursday brought an uproar from the grassroots. The non-partisan Committee for a Unified Independent Party reported being cc'd on close to 100 emails that went to Howard Dean and the paper within several hours of notice to protest the anti-democratic move by the party interests. And The Hankster got this video from Representative Press with the comment "Kucinich is excluded from the Democratic Debate because his Iowa Field Director and State Coordinator, Marcos Rubinstein, works from home!?!"
Doug Ireland sent this letter to the editor:
SHAME ON THE DES MOINES REGISTER FOR EXCLUDING KUCINICH AND GRAVEL!
To the Editor, Des Moines Register:
As a journalist who has covered politics for three decades, I was appalled to discover that you had excluded both Congressman Dennis Kucinich and former Senator Mike Gravel from your presidential debate when I tuned into it today....... (read more)
Of Peace and Politics ran this: Mike Gravel: On Giving Power to the People
Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel were denied from participating in yesterday's Democratic debate. The Gravel Campaign released this video in protest.
The Independent View ran a protest.... and goofballs ran a Call to Action......
Other organizations, mostly Kucinich endorsers, ran protest campaigns: AfterDowningStreet.org, and We Are Watching You...
Dandelion Salad among several other blogs ran Jean Hay Bright's piece pointing out that "The concept that only landed gentry should be eligible to participate in the political process is an idea that we threw out, not in the last century, but in the century before that."
Gannett Blog (an independent blog about the Gannett Co.) tells us that "a Des Moines Register tipster says the paper has been hosed by protesters after its controversial decision to exclude Rep. Dennis Kucinich (below) from yesterday's Democratic presidential debate."The protest disrupted the newsroom for two days, jamming the phones,'' the tipster writes today. "After the Kucinich Iowa website announced he wasn't being included in the debate panel, Kucinich supporters posted protests on the comment areas tacked on to any news reports or blogs."
Showing posts with label debate watch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label debate watch. Show all posts
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Independents Are Watching
Let's see what develops at the YouTube/CNN debate tonight!
Watch, comment....
As an independent, you get used to seeing things shut down during an election season. The closer to the election, the more the Dems scream that any vote for a Repub is tantamount to a vote for the Devil, and any vote for a third-party candidate (and there have been more and more of them....) is also tantamount to a vote for the Devil by way of not voting for the Dem... You know the drill.
So an interesting development in the 2008 campaign: Billary and Edwards The Populist seem to think that cutting out anti-war and insurgent candidates like Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich and Bill Richardson 17 months out will bring out their natural abilities to lead the country in a more Democratic direction.
Howard Dean got an earfull on that from voters...
Watch the YouTube/CNN debate and email The Hankster with your comments for publication on Tuesday.
Watch, comment....
As an independent, you get used to seeing things shut down during an election season. The closer to the election, the more the Dems scream that any vote for a Repub is tantamount to a vote for the Devil, and any vote for a third-party candidate (and there have been more and more of them....) is also tantamount to a vote for the Devil by way of not voting for the Dem... You know the drill.
So an interesting development in the 2008 campaign: Billary and Edwards The Populist seem to think that cutting out anti-war and insurgent candidates like Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich and Bill Richardson 17 months out will bring out their natural abilities to lead the country in a more Democratic direction.
Howard Dean got an earfull on that from voters...
Watch the YouTube/CNN debate and email The Hankster with your comments for publication on Tuesday.
TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS
- Debate site: Diversity at last...
- Debate surrogates go after Clintonism
- Clinton Obama Clinton Obama polls
- Eliminate political affiliations in Newark
Monday, July 16, 2007
Conversations on Independence
- More on "The Clinton/Edwards Squeeze" (By Joe Murray, The Bulletin - Independent and Locally Owned in Philadelphia
- Party elites are wrong to bar candidates such as Mike Gravel from debates (by Mary MacElveen http://www.opednews.com/)
- Another by Mary MacElveen "Give the gavel to Gravel" on her blog
- Something About Hillary in the Post Chronicle says "If Hillary is able to keep the debate and the campaigning on her terms, she will make the 2008 race about changing direction from Bush -- returning to the good part of the Clinton years when the economy was perceived as growing and the world was perceived to be at peace. "
That's as good a definition of Clintonism as I've seen recently! Control the debate, create the perception that the economy is growing and the world is at peace.... Hmmmmm.....
And, oh yeah -- I saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix this weekend and liked it quite a bit. At the end of the school day, the kids will have to figure out on their own how to fight the good fight. Here's a good read on The Moderate Voice Harry Potter and the Snooty Cultural Snobs by Jason Steck...
Friday, July 13, 2007
Blogger Action Alert! Keep Independent Voices In Debates
This just in from IndependentVoting.org -- Did you hear Hillary and John Edwards in a private conversation at the recent NAACP forum about excluding independent voices from the most wide open presidential campaign in American politics in a century? Click here for the video! Clinton and Edwards discuss the need to eliminate "unserious" candidates from future televised debates...
Now what?
Complain? Curse? Call your neighbor? YES! And also, you can DO SOMETHING with other independents that makes a difference:
Here is how you can take action:
1. Call/E-mail/Fax Howard Dean (and please cc me 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. Contact people in your network and ask them to do the same. Forward them this e-mail so they can express their support for keeping the debates open.
3. If you are new to CUIP, sign up to be a part of the independent movement and receive regular e-mail updates.
Please send your e-mail or letter today and start your outreach to your networks. If you have questions or thoughts about other ways to help, please call Nancy Ross at CUIP at 212-609-2800.
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
Now what?
Complain? Curse? Call your neighbor? YES! And also, you can DO SOMETHING with other independents that makes a difference:
Here is how you can take action:
1. Call/E-mail/Fax Howard Dean (and please cc me 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. Contact people in your network and ask them to do the same. Forward them this e-mail so they can express their support for keeping the debates open.
3. If you are new to CUIP, sign up to be a part of the independent movement and receive regular e-mail updates.
Please send your e-mail or letter today and start your outreach to your networks. If you have questions or thoughts about other ways to help, please call Nancy Ross at CUIP at 212-609-2800.
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
Caught on Tape: Clinton/Edwards to Shut Down Debates
Go to California's Independent Voice (thanks to IV communications director Jason Olson)
Hillary Clinton and John Edwards "privately" discussed removing other candidates from future debates. The discussion took place after the July 12th NAACP Candidate Forum in Detroit. But they forgot they were still on camera and miked! The discussion quickly found its way into the media and onto YouTube. Clinton and Edwards are clearly trying to eliminate any dissenting or independent voice from the debates.
Independents want a real debate, not an "insider" made for TV production.
Click here to watch the video and make your voice heard>
And while we're at it, Iowa independent leader Larry Reinsch confronted Hillary about including independents in the debates at a recent appearence -- don't miss this at Rock The Debates....
Independent Voice and Rock the Debates are both on The Hankster sidebar. They are both important sites to check in with!
Hillary Clinton and John Edwards "privately" discussed removing other candidates from future debates. The discussion took place after the July 12th NAACP Candidate Forum in Detroit. But they forgot they were still on camera and miked! The discussion quickly found its way into the media and onto YouTube. Clinton and Edwards are clearly trying to eliminate any dissenting or independent voice from the debates.
Independents want a real debate, not an "insider" made for TV production.
Click here to watch the video and make your voice heard>
And while we're at it, Iowa independent leader Larry Reinsch confronted Hillary about including independents in the debates at a recent appearence -- don't miss this at Rock The Debates....
Independent Voice and Rock the Debates are both on The Hankster sidebar. They are both important sites to check in with!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Independent Voters: JOIN THE NEXT DEBATE WATCH
Sunday, June 3 – Democratic Party Debate
Tuesday, June 5 – Republican Party Debate
Sponsored by CNN and WMUR, New Hampshire
Aired nationally on CNN from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
St. Anselm College, New Hampshire
This note from the CUIP:
Thank you for participating in Debate Watch! It was very successful. 200 independents from 30 states filled out surveys after watching the debates broadcast from South Carolina on May 3rd (Democratic Party) and from California on May 10th (Republican Party).
Independents are getting a look at the presidential terrain, and what a terrain! Eight Democrats and ten Republicans participated in the debates in South Carolina– and at least five more major players are considering entering the race. Independents who participated in Debate Watch did not feel there was any clear winner in either debate, nor did the political pundits who commented afterwards.
It’s an unpredictable campaign season. As one McCain staffer noted recently, “the only thing certain about this presidential election is the level of uncertainty!” With the presidential campaign beginning 18 months earlier than previous races, many states are now moving or threatening to move their primary dates to earlier in the primary season, meaning almost half the states’ primaries will be over by February 5! Candidates and their campaign teams are scrambling to figure out their next moves. Moreover, nobody can safely predict who the ultimate candidates will be, including if there will be a significant (read: wealthy and well-known) independent to enter the race.
All this instability can be a good thing for independents. We don’t need to pick a candidate or a winner in the debates. Rather, we’re insisting that the candidates talk to and include independents and address our concerns about partisanship and corruption and their negative effects on the political process.
99% of Debate Watch respondents noted that neither the Democratic or Republican candidates acknowledged or spoke directly to independent voters. Indeed, only two Republicans – and no Democrats – even mentioned the word “independent.” In addition, 98% of independents surveyed believe that political reform and partisanship are important issues to be addressed, and that the candidates failed to do so.
Not one independent who watched the Republican debate felt that Senator John McCain did anything in the debate to regain the support he lost from independent voters because of his position on the war.
Independents’ advice to the candidates about how to speak more effectively to independent voters? Here’s a few highlights:
Acknowledge our existence and our numbers. Admit that most Americans are now independent voters, reflecting our dissatisfaction with partisanship;
Speak to fixing our broken election system;
Admit that the parties are corrupt – they continue to stack the deck against independents.
On the media front:
Sarah Lyons, Communications Director of CUIP, has been speaking with the media about Debate Watch – and some media outlets are listening.
In South Carolina a local daily newspaper, The Greenville News, invited chair of the South Carolina Independence Party Wayne Griffin to view the Democratic Party debate in their offices to get his reactions to the debate in “real time.”
Morris News Service, which owns 12 weekly newspapers in 6 states, spoke with Helen Blocker-Adams after the debate to get her “Debate Watch” reactions. See the story http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/042707/met_126289.html
In Iowa, WHO-TV invited independent Larry Reinsch to submit his responses to the debates on the state’s Iowa caucus website - www.iowavotes2008.org
Now the focus of the presidential campaign is moving to New Hampshire, as Democratic and Republican Party debates are set for June 3 and June 5, respectively. The chair of the New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice, Betty Ward, is planning a Debate Watch party at a local bar. The debates will be broadcast by CNN from Manchester, New Hampshire. We’ll send everyone a new survey towards the end of this month, and we’ll keep you posted!
Plan your next Debate Watch for June 3!
Contact Nancy Ross or Fran Miller at 212-609-2800
Tuesday, June 5 – Republican Party Debate
Sponsored by CNN and WMUR, New Hampshire
Aired nationally on CNN from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
St. Anselm College, New Hampshire
This note from the CUIP:
Thank you for participating in Debate Watch! It was very successful. 200 independents from 30 states filled out surveys after watching the debates broadcast from South Carolina on May 3rd (Democratic Party) and from California on May 10th (Republican Party).
Independents are getting a look at the presidential terrain, and what a terrain! Eight Democrats and ten Republicans participated in the debates in South Carolina– and at least five more major players are considering entering the race. Independents who participated in Debate Watch did not feel there was any clear winner in either debate, nor did the political pundits who commented afterwards.
It’s an unpredictable campaign season. As one McCain staffer noted recently, “the only thing certain about this presidential election is the level of uncertainty!” With the presidential campaign beginning 18 months earlier than previous races, many states are now moving or threatening to move their primary dates to earlier in the primary season, meaning almost half the states’ primaries will be over by February 5! Candidates and their campaign teams are scrambling to figure out their next moves. Moreover, nobody can safely predict who the ultimate candidates will be, including if there will be a significant (read: wealthy and well-known) independent to enter the race.
All this instability can be a good thing for independents. We don’t need to pick a candidate or a winner in the debates. Rather, we’re insisting that the candidates talk to and include independents and address our concerns about partisanship and corruption and their negative effects on the political process.
99% of Debate Watch respondents noted that neither the Democratic or Republican candidates acknowledged or spoke directly to independent voters. Indeed, only two Republicans – and no Democrats – even mentioned the word “independent.” In addition, 98% of independents surveyed believe that political reform and partisanship are important issues to be addressed, and that the candidates failed to do so.
Not one independent who watched the Republican debate felt that Senator John McCain did anything in the debate to regain the support he lost from independent voters because of his position on the war.
Independents’ advice to the candidates about how to speak more effectively to independent voters? Here’s a few highlights:
Acknowledge our existence and our numbers. Admit that most Americans are now independent voters, reflecting our dissatisfaction with partisanship;
Speak to fixing our broken election system;
Admit that the parties are corrupt – they continue to stack the deck against independents.
On the media front:
Sarah Lyons, Communications Director of CUIP, has been speaking with the media about Debate Watch – and some media outlets are listening.
In South Carolina a local daily newspaper, The Greenville News, invited chair of the South Carolina Independence Party Wayne Griffin to view the Democratic Party debate in their offices to get his reactions to the debate in “real time.”
Morris News Service, which owns 12 weekly newspapers in 6 states, spoke with Helen Blocker-Adams after the debate to get her “Debate Watch” reactions. See the story http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/042707/met_126289.html
In Iowa, WHO-TV invited independent Larry Reinsch to submit his responses to the debates on the state’s Iowa caucus website - www.iowavotes2008.org
Now the focus of the presidential campaign is moving to New Hampshire, as Democratic and Republican Party debates are set for June 3 and June 5, respectively. The chair of the New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice, Betty Ward, is planning a Debate Watch party at a local bar. The debates will be broadcast by CNN from Manchester, New Hampshire. We’ll send everyone a new survey towards the end of this month, and we’ll keep you posted!
Plan your next Debate Watch for June 3!
Contact Nancy Ross or Fran Miller at 212-609-2800
Thursday, May 03, 2007
And now for the Repubs: Independent Debate Watch!
CALLING ALL INDEPENDENT VOTERS!
There is an independent Debate Watch. Download the survey and fax or do it on line at http://independentvoting.org/
There is an independent Debate Watch. Download the survey and fax or do it on line at http://independentvoting.org/
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Georgia independent leader Helen Blocker-Adams
... spoke about the debate in South Carolina and her view of whether the candidates made much of impression....
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
JOIN CUIP'S INDEPENDENTS DEBATE WATCH '08
The First Democratic Debate of the 2008 Presidential Season
Thursday, April 26, 2007
7:00 pm EST
Sponsored by MSNBC and South Carolina State University
Broadcast live on MSNBC
(Go to www.independentvoting.org for more information)
Are you an independent voter? Watch the debate and have input. Click on the link above!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
7:00 pm EST
Sponsored by MSNBC and South Carolina State University
Broadcast live on MSNBC
(Go to www.independentvoting.org for more information)
Are you an independent voter? Watch the debate and have input. Click on the link above!
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