{news} Thornton Buys Ad for Wednesday's Debate

[ken krayeske]

Thornton for Governor
For Immediate Release
Oct. 16, 2006
For more information, contact Ken Krayeske, 860-995-5842

LET CLIFF DEBATE!
 
/*New Thornton Ad Demands Inclusion in Debates*/

/Hartford/ - Green Party gubernatorial candidate Cliff Thornton has 
purchased a 30-second ad spot on WVIT-30 to run adjacent to the 
televised gubernatorial debate Wednesday night.
    This is the first time the Thornton and the Connecticut Green Party 
have ever purchased airtime, and the ad will run either at 6:59 pm or 
7:59 pm, directly before or directly after the debate, according to 
NBC-30 sales rep David Aston.
    The ad decries Thornton's exclusion from the televised debates, and 
calls for Thornton's inclusion. Voters and the press can preview the 
30-second spot at <http://www.votethornton.com/pages/video.html>. The ad 
features footage from the 75 Green Party protesters outside the debate 
at Garde Center for the Arts in New London Oct. 9, calling for justice 
for their candidate.
    Since the upcoming debate Wednesday night takes place without a 
studio audience, on private property, and in an area directly at the 
bottom of a highway exit ramp without sidewalks, Thornton said he did 
not want to call a protest as it will be dark and unsafe for a 
pedestrian protest.
    "There was no other way for our voice to be heard," Thornton said. 
"While I am generally opposed to renting the public airwaves, and this 
ad is expensive at $3,300 for 30 seconds, we have to tell the general 
public that the two parties actively suppress free speech."
    Thornton is challenging Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Democratic 
challenger Mayor John DeStefano to bring the debate to the people, 
particularly students.
    "Why is the debate in a locked studio where people are not allowed?" 
Thornton asked. "We have such trouble bringing youth into the political 
world, why not host the debate at Central Connecticut State University? 
I will be speaking there Wednesday at 8 p.m., and I invite Mayor 
DeStefano and Gov. Rell to meet me there. Why are they so afraid of what 
I have to say?"
    In a televised appearance with NBC-30 reporter Tom Monahan Sunday 
morning, Thornton challenged Monahan, who is moderating the debate, to 
ask the candidates why they have excluded Thornton.
    "We are waiting to see if Mr. Monahan will live up to his 
journalistic responsibilities. The major parties do not deserve a free 
pass on this," Thornton said. "Keeping me out of the debates hurts every 
voter in the state. We need to have at least two more debates with all 
candidates to properly inform voters of the problems and solutions."
    Thornton is calling for voters to pressure Rell and DeStefano to 
schedule more debates.
    For more information, contact Ken Krayeske at 860-995-5842 or email 
ken at votethornton.com.

-30-

*This message approved by Thornton for Governor and paid for by Thornton 
for Governor, Max Wentworth, treasurer.*
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