Third Party Candidates to Debate 'Real Priorities' at Vanderbilt University

Musician and Alliance for Democracy supporter Tom Neilson responded to the last e-news by pointing out that there are more than two candidates running for president, and more than one set of presidential debates. On Monday, October 6, the Presidential Candidates' Alternative Debate will take place at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. The October 6 debate is one day prior to a McCain/Obama debate at nearby Belmont University, from which al other candidates have been excluded.

Confirmed attendees include Brad Lyttle of the US Pacifist Party, Charles Jay of the Personal Choice Party, Frank McEnulty of the New American Independence Party and Brian Moore of the Socialist Party. Other candidates who have expressed interest in attending the debate include Gloria LaRiva of the Party for Socialism and Liberation and Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party.

Chris Lugo, of the Coalition for October Debate Alternatives, said that the Democratic and Republican candidates have also been invited to the event, but have not indicated an interest in attending, "We believe that voters should make a fully informed choice about whom they vote for and we do not believe this is possible if they are only hearing from the two major party
candidates. We have invited the Barack Obama and John McCain in the interest of fairness, but we are intending to highlight this alternative debate as the most egalitarian possible event by including all the candidates and promoting this as an event to which everyone is invited."

In addition to the candidates you can hear Tom at a Pre-Debates concert at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 5 at the George W. Carver Food Park, and after a demonstration on Tuesday, October 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. at 21st Ave S and Blakemore, protesting Obama and McCain’s refusal to debate other candidates. The concert starts at 7:30.

For info, email Chris Lugo, at chris4senate@gmail.com.