Let’s face it: the Founding Fathers would be disgusted by the Commission on Presidential Debates. This organization is an utter repudiation of the founding principles of the republic. Though it claims to be nonpartisan, the Commission was CREATED by the Republican and Democratic Parties, and ever... more
Let’s face it: the Founding Fathers would be disgusted by the Commission on Presidential Debates. This organization is an utter repudiation of the founding principles of the republic. Though it claims to be nonpartisan, the Commission was CREATED by the Republican and Democratic Parties, and ever since then we’ve seen the GOP hijacked by neocons and the DNC hijacked by socialists.
The Commission requires both of the major parties to operate, so if the GOP left it would by necessity collapse on itself. I actually left the Republican Party and this is one reason why: the two-party system has made it ridiculously unfair for outsiders to challenge. The GOP should prevail on the strength of its ideas, not on technical blockades. The Commission has three criteria for someone to enter their debates:
1. Be eligible under the Constitution.
2. Have ballot access in enough states to theoretically win the Electoral College.
3. Demonstrate a 15% support from the national electorate.
The first two criteria make sense and are entirely valid; the third is utterly offensive to anyone who desires governmental liberty. How can a third party candidate demonstrate a 15% support from the electorate when the Commission keeps the electorate from even being exposed to them or their ideas in a debate forum?
The Constitution and Libertarian parties have for a long time been calling on the GOP to return to classical limited government principles, and the fact that they and other third parties are kept out of the debates simply enforces their argument as to how far the GOP has strayed from its one-time mission of Constitutional liberty.
If the GOP wants to promote the Constitution and liberty, then it absolutely MUST put an end to the Commission on Presidential Debates. A truly nonpartisan organization should rise in its place: one that allows any candidate who is Constitutionally-qualified and on the ballot in enough states to theoretically win the Electoral College. Then candidates can rise or fall before the people based on their merits, not based on loopholes.
jeffpierson
I agree with your suggestion but I'm not sure whether suggesting removal of something without a strong solution of how to replace it would be very effective. My concern is that something worse sprouts up in it's place. This concern aside, you have at least one of my votes for now.