Third-Party Candidates Try to Get Into the Debates

Third party candidates and their supporters tried petitions, boycotts, and even car convoys to get into the debates, but it didn't work.  As a result they are left trying to connect from the sidelines.

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Want Real Change? Open The Debates!

Nearly 60% of Americans claim that they want a new major political party. With nearly 50% of voters not identifying as either Republican or Democrat, it’s time to get new voices on the national stage. 

Sign the petition to get more candidates who actually represent you in on the debates!

Every four years you hear the same “blah blah blah.” It’s on the TV, social media, newspapers, magazines, radio, and everywhere else you could possibly catch it. Every four years there’s new faces and the same old broken promises. 

Something has to change. 

It’s not for lack of trying that we never see any third parties in the debates. The Republicans and Democrats know that forcing voters to choose between two parties is the best way for them to stay in power without actually fixing anything. 

As the 2020 presidential candidate for the Green Party, Howie Hawkins believes that you deserve better than to have your livelihood played with by the two-party establishment. 

It’s time for real change that can only come from opening the debates!

Let Howie Debate!

The deck is stacked against third parties so it’s going to take all of us to put an end to this. With over half of voters saying that the US needs a third party, this is more than possible if everyone pitches in and does their part to open the debates to third parties. 

While we’re at it, we’re also demanding an even playing field for all candidates!

We mean:

  • No more media blackouts! Give third parties screen time and representation in polls!
  • Restructuring the Commission on Debates to be a NON-PARTISAN organization!
  • A standard where ALL candidates included on enough ballots to have a chance at actually winning the presidency

As it stands, Trump and Biden have both chosen to ignore Howie Hawkins’ challenges to a debate. Are they incapable of debating? Perhaps they’re too scared to debate someone who is actually keeping to the issues and not falling into their bread-and-circuses approach to politics? 

The few seconds that it takes to sign this petition can be the make-or-break difference between getting politicians who actually want to EARN your vote or another who-knows-how-many years of your rights and needs as an American being ignored. 

 

It’s up to you.

Sign now!






https://www.freethedebates.com/
September 1, 2020

PRESS RELEASE: Libertarians, Greens, Independents Prepare for Four-Year Boycott of Anheuser-Busch after National Press Club Fiasco CPD

Letter of Intent Delivered to Anheuser-Busch CEOs, Challenged to Encourage Fair Debates

[United States, September 1, 2020] - Thousands of members of third parties, independents, and Republican and Democrat voters across the nation watched as the National Press Club President, Michael Freedman interviewed the trio of Co-Chairs of the Commission on Presidential Debates, posing questions submitted by members of the National Press Club as well as voters across the country. During the livestreamed event, thousands of online participants flooded the comment section with echoes of "#LetHerSpeak," and "#OpenTheDebates." Support for third-party candidates Dr. Jo Jorgensen (L) and Howie Hawkins (G) was loud and clear.

Freedman held the commission to task on issues of debate exclusion, including the 15% polling minimum requirement, challenging them on the subject by asking if it is a fair determining factor if the polls will not include the names of candidates that appear on all 50 state ballots.

In light of the CPD's exclusionary tactics, a group of Libertarians have launched have launched an initiative called #BudBoycott, with support from Green Party members other independent and third-party voters, to put pressure on Anheuser-Busch and their subsidiaries to encourage the CPD to remove the 15% polling qualifier for candidates who are on enough ballots to receive 270 electoral votes. The group has sent a letter of intent to Anheuser-Busch CEOs Carlos Brito and Marcelo Michaelis.

We ask that Anheuser-Busch agrees to publicly encourage and work with the Commission on Presidential Debates to invite all candidates who have achieved the ballot access threshold that gives them the mathematical possibility of earning the minimum of 270 electoral votes required to win the presidential election.

Should the CPD refuse to change their requirement regarding this qualification on or before Sept 10 by eliminating the “15% in selected polls,” stipulation, we ask that Anheuser-Busch agree to step down as a sponsor from all future debates until such changes are made.

"We hope to encourage all stake-holders of debate sponsors to put pressure on them to do the right thing and give the people the chance to be heard,” said Jennifer Flower, Libertarian.

Anheuser-Busch has been the largest and longest-running sponsor of the presidential debates and have a long history of partisan support to include massive donations to Republican PACs and hosting publicity events for Republican politicians and political hopefuls.

"American voters deserve better," Lauren Mckinnon, CEO of Vis Branding, a national marketing and public relations firm hired by the organizers of #BudBoycott to represent the initiative. "I have worked with candidates from all parties big and small, running for every office from non-partisan Sheriff to Governor of New York against Andrew Cuomo. The most important part of my job is to listen to people, to understand what they want. And I can tell you the message that has been most loud and clear in 2020, even more so than in years past, is that voters need options. They don't like what they see in the Republican or Democratic Parties. What I hear most often when speaking to voters is that they do not feel represented by the two old parties and that they feel disenfranchised by polling companies and the CPD who refuse to let voices like theirs have a platform.”

Multiple studies and polls, including one by USA Today, have been conducted over the years, many since the 2016 election with Gary Johnson (L), that not only show more than three-quarters of Americans believe that there should be more voices on the debate stage, but that voters believe the 15% minimum polling rule is intentionally unfair.

"Every time a third party meets a threshold, they move the goalposts. We see this time and time again. Not just with polling minimums for inclusion, but also in State Board of Elections across the country who continually up the filing fees and signature requirements for third parties,” said Mckinnon. “This is a very deep-rooted problem in our system that shuts down the voices of so many Americans. There is something very off when you look at the behaviors of media, polling agencies, debate sponsors and the CPD when it comes to legitimate third party candidates who have met every other threshold of constitutional qualification and 50 state ballot access. You cannot possibly meet a 15% threshold in polls if they won't say your name. It's just not a realistic threshold to meet."

Throughout the event, the Co-Chairs of the CPD doubled down on their position that the debates are only open to Republicans and Democrats.

“At that time (1988) I was the Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Paul Kirk was the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee and we got together and the net result was the Commission on Presidential Debates,’ said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., Co-Chair of the Commission on Presidential Debates, further exposing the foundation of the commission to be bi-partisan rather than non-partisan.

When asked by Freedman (from an emailed question), “How feasible is it for 3rd party candidates to meet poll requirements without poll inclusion? Would you be willing to consider alternative access requirements like ballot access requirements.” Dorothy S. Ridings ignored the question, saying, “They do have ballot access requirements!”

Later, when asked more specifically about Dr. Jorgensen (L) and Hawkins (G), the only two candidates outside of the Republican and Democratic Parties who have enough ballot access to achieve the necessary 270 electoral votes, Ridings replied “…you just can’t pick and choose out of the 200 or so people who are running whether or not they should be on the stage.” There are not 200 candidates with ballot access. There are only 2. Further illustrating that the commission is either out of touch with the reality of who does and does not have ballot access or are lying to the public.

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Letter of Intent Delivered to Anheuser-Busch CEOs: Brito & Michaelis
Will they do the right thing? We'll know by Sept. 10

Dear Mr. Brito and Mr. Michaelis,

We, the members of the National Libertarian Party and The Green Party of America are calling for a Bud Boycott of all brands of Anheuser-Busch Companies, to include products and sponsored events by Anheuser-Busch, AB InBev, and all subsidiaries. As such we are offering a solution to end this disruption.

We ask that Anheuser-Busch agrees to publicly encourage and work with the Commission on Presidential Debates to invite all candidates who have achieved the ballot access threshold that gives them the mathematical possibility of earning the minimum of 270 electoral votes required to win the presidential election.

Should the CPD refuse to change their requirement regarding this qualification on or before Sept 10 by eliminating the “15% in selected polls,” stipulation, we ask that Anheuser-Busch agree to step down as a sponsor from all future debates until such changes are made.

With more than 75% of the American voting population supporting third party representation in the debates in order to provide more choices and hear more voices, we are prepared to take the following actions:

Four-year boycott of all Anheuser-Busch and AB InBev products

Social media campaigns targeting celebrities, athletes

First six months – Encouraging local bars, restaurants, sports, and entertainment venues to not carry AB InBev products

After six months – Supporting those that refuse to sell Anheuser-Busch products

Boycotting and protesting events sponsored by AB InBev

Regularly schedules protests at AB InBev facilities and offices

Petitions and online social media campaigns to drive awareness

The last debate sponsors to extend an invitation outside of the Republican and Democrat parties was in the 1992 Presidential Election with Ross Perot, who went on to win over 18% of the popular vote even after pausing his campaign run from July through September after being told he would not receive ballot access in all 50 states.

In the 28 years since Ross Perot was in the debates we now have four political parties whose candidates are on the ballot in all or most US States with the mathematical possibly to retain the minimum 270 electoral votes to win the election: Donald Trump (Republican), Joe Biden (Democratic), Jo Jorgensen (Libertarian), and Howie Hawkins (Green). Additionally, the voting populations support for third-party representation has grown exponentially.

Since 2016 Anheuser-Busch has supported a number of events under their “Brew Democracy,” banner, even headlining a press release with the title “Anheuser-Busch Brews Democracy with New Survey Showing Americans Coming Together Over a Beer.” However, silencing the voices of more than three-quarters of Americans who wish to see more options than the two main parties, while claiming to promote democracy, is misleading and disenfranchising to those who want and deserve more.

We sincerely hope that Anheuser-Busch is truly a product for ALL Americans, and we look forward to working with you to empower ALL of the voters of our nation.

Sincerely,

Members of The Libertarian Party, The Green Party, and Independents, nationwide.

Let Her Speak

A One-Day Nationwide Peaceful Protest Convoy

On Saturday, August 8th, 2020, at 12:30 pm EST/ 9:30 am PST, join us to demand Jo Jorgensen is allowed to debate on the 2020 National Debate Stage.

  • Decorate your cars and drive parade style. Go Live and talk to the local media. Print flyers and spread the word. It's time get noticed.
  • In practice of the nonaggression principle, this will be a driving convoy demonstration to peacefully protest the CPD debate regulations.
  • We're providing all of the media & marketing materials, and support you need to make your regional event a hit.

Americans Deserve To Hear The Candidates On Their Ballots

Jo Jorgensen will be an option on most state ballots, but without hearing our Libertarian values and positions directly from her, they will not be able to compare her equally to Trump or Biden.

Our goal for the nationwide protest convoy is to accomplish the following:

  1. Get media attention for the lack of fairness in our presidential debate
  2. Put social pressure on the Commission on Presidential Debates to allow Jo Jorgensen to debate
  3. Spread the word about Jo Jorgensen and the Libertarian Party to increase awareness to your local community

View All The Confirmed Events Here

Find Your Squad

The form below will match you with events in your county, or with people who are looking to participate in your county.

Your State:

Your County:

Your Facebook URL:



If there is no convoy in your county, set one up!

Host or attend a convoy in your area to peacefully protest the BLATANT rigging of American elections. All the instructions and marketing materials you need are listed in the google doc.


Set Up A Let Her Speak Convoy With The Host Checklist


FAQs

Why Are You Doing This?

The Commission on Presidential Debates is refusing to allow third parties to debate without polling at 15% in polls they conduct. The caveat? They don’t ask about third party candidates in those polls.

We're calling on libertarian candidates, officials, and members to lead a peaceful protest convoy in your county at the same time and day, all across America.

How Do I Use The Database Form?

  1. Add your state, county, and Facebook profile link.
  2. If there is an event in the county you have searched, it will show you the event link so that you can join and help.
  3. If there is no event, but there have been previous county searches, it will show you the Facebook profile links from those searches so that you can team up and get to work.
  4. If there is no event, no previous search, be patient! It may take a couple of days for someone to reach out to you, and be sure to check your FB messenger daily!
  5. You can also do a few different searches for any neighboring counties you would be willing to drive/help with. All your searches will be saved for others searching in those counties as well.

Are you storing or sharing my information in the database form?

There is no pre-recorded information, and this tool will ONLY record your Facebook profile link (no other details are sourced from your profile). New events are manually entered, and it may take a day or two to get imported. Please be patient, and keep checking.

Who is running Let Her Speak?

Let Her Speak is a marketing campaign - it is NOT an organization. We are all unpaid volunteers, patriots managing family/work while trying to spread the message of Liberty in our communities. The best way to reach us is via the Let Her Speak Convoy Planning Group on Facebook

Let Her Speak is a grassroots campaign and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

The Let Her Speak campaign has not spent any significant amount of money.

If you would like to email the organizer Kasie Dailey you may do so: letherspeakdebates@gmail.com