At TheHill.com, Brent Budowsky urges the inclusion of Libertarian Party candidate, Gary Johnson in the presidential debates to give America the informed choice it deserves in November.
The presidential debates should offer the American people an opportunity to evaluate the candidates for president and make an informed choice about the future direction of the nation. The debate commission should respect the two-party system, but should not be used as a vehicle for stifling dissent and silencing voices when many voters conclude the two-party system makes them choose the “lesser of two evils.”
Under the pending rules of debate participation, a candidate must be on the ballot in all 50 states and must garner an average of 15 percent in the polls.
Johnson has met the first standard. He is already on the ballot in all 50 states. He will meet, or come close to meeting, the second standard. He currently polls around 10 percent and his numbers are probably on an upward curve, with a growing number of Republicans publicly stating that they cannot vote for Trump.
If by the beginning of the debates Johnson is on the ballot in all 50 states and polls 13 percent, or 14 percent, should he be denied the ability to participate in the debates? I say not. Rules are made to be broken and exceptions can be made.
