[CUGreens] Networks-Open the Debates!

[TREXLER ANDREW STEVEN <Andrew.Trexler@colorado.edu>]

I sent this letter off to the major networks. This is our best way to get
Nader in one of the two remaining debates because the Networks can either
demand that Nader be in the debates for us, or they can add him to the
discussion via satellite, answering the same questions as Bore and Shrub
(they did this with Jon Anderson in 1980...its the ratings stupid) Anyway,
please forward this message and change the name at the bottom- it's
perfect armchair activism!

Andrew

----------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 13:48:20 -0400
From: Andrew Trexler <Andrew.Trexler@colorado.edu>
To: netaudr@abc.com, programming@nbc.com, audsvcs@cbs.com,
    comments@foxnews.com, cnn.feedback@cnn.com, viewer@pbs.org
Cc: trexler@colorado.edu
Subject: Open the Debates!


Dear ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, CNN, and PBS:

I am writing on behalf of the third-party candidates that have no voice in this presidential election. As a concerned viewer, I feel it is my duty to portray my dismay in the purposeful denial of third-party inclusion in these "debates".

Attempts to restrict any candidate from electoral debates who is not in the Democratic or Republican party are a violation of the core principles that our country was founded upon, democracy and freedom of speech. Whether or not both parties are able to agree to adhere to the suggestions made by the Commission on Presidential Debates, I ask that NO "debate" that does not include at least one of the major 3rd party candidates be aired on your television network.

As you know from recent debate history, participation by third-party candidates raises public interest, viewership and voter turnout.  The 1992 presidential debates, which included third-party candidate Ross Perot, were watched by a record-breaking 90 million viewers. Presidential voter turnout went up in '92, reversing a 20-year downward trend.

However, in 1996, only the two major parties appeared in the debates, excluding candidate Perot. The result was huge drop in viewership, to a mere 41 million viewers. Over two times as many viewers watched the presidential debates of 1992 than in 1996. 

We cannot depend on the CPD to change its selection criteria, as the committee is run solely by the Democratic and Republican parties. Since it is in the best interest of the CPD to NOT allow 3rd party candidates into the debates, it is up to YOU, the television networks to carry out the request of the people. The citizens of the United States, I included, strongly urge you to reconsider any decisions to air these closed debates on national television. The networks should exercise their right to decide what gets televised, with the will of the people as a basis of their decision.

Asked in a July Fox News poll, "Should Buchanan and Nader Participate In the Presidential Debates?", respondents said yes by a 64 to 25 percent margin. That same poll found a 73 to 17 percent majority saying Nader and Buchanan would make the debates "more interesting." A more recent Zogby poll confirmed that over half of likely voters would like to see Nader and Buchanan in the debates.

It is in the best interest of the TV networks to only air those debates that are open to 3rd party candidates. I realize that you have a fiduciary interest to your shareholders. That is why you should heed the call of the American people and look at the numbers; perhaps 90 million viewers with a third-party candidate, 41 million without.

Do the nation and your shareholders a favor - set up a series of debates that include at least the four major candidates.

I hear that Fox is going to add Nader into the debates electronically. I will only watch the debate coverage with Nader in it, and I know several friends who will do the same.

I am not yet sure who I'm planning to vote for and I'd like to see all of my choices.

Signed,

Andrew Trexler
Boulder, Colorado
trexler@colorado.edu


------- End of Forwarded Message

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