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| Civic LetterJanet BrownCommission on Presidential Debates 1200 New Hampshire Avenue, NW Box 445 Washington, D.C. 20036 Dear Ms. Brown: We are writing to express our deep concern around the planned exclusion of additional voices such as Green Party candidate Ralph Nader and Reform Party candidate Pat Buchanan from the 2000 presidential debates. Participation by third-party candidates raises public interest, viewership and voter turnout. Truly, it is one sign of a healthy democracy. Over 60% of the American people would like to see candidates other than Vice President Al Gore and Governor George Bush in the televised debates. Additionally, both Mr. Nader and Mr. Buchanan have polled at over 5%. This qualifies the Green Party for federal matching funds alongside the Reform Party if that percentage is sustained through Election Day. Yet the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) has determined candidates must receive 15% in the polls in order to participate. Under the same criteria, Ross Perot and Jesse Ventura would have been excluded when they were running for office. The American people are ready to move beyond the current two-party system. This is because many of the issues we care most about -- the expanding prison/industrial complex, the failed drug war, and corporate globalization -- continue to be ignored by the two major parties. To a growing number of Americans, it does not appear coincidental that many of the larger campaign contributors benefit from ignoring such issues. Candidates for the Office of President of the United States should be confident, if not eager, to debate other candidates. We ask that the CPD not only open the debates to Mr. Nader and Mr. Buchanan, but open up its own decision-making process to major third party representatives as well. Sincerely, Randall Hayes, President of Rainforest Action Network*
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