{news} re: CT Post Editorial for 3rd Party Inclusion

[ken krayeske]

http://www.connpost.com/editorials/ci_4389591
from Sunday, Sept. 24, 2006
Minor parties need a voice in debates



If the lively, invective-laden discussion on whether to have one-on-one 
gubernatorial debates this fall is an indication, Connecticut citizens 
will get their money's worth when Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell and New 
Haven Mayor John DeStefano finally square off against each other next 
month.

DeStefano, Rell and the spokesmen for each have engaged in a trading of 
heated words during the past two weeks that eventually ended in 
agreement for at least two one-on-one televised debates and a single 
one-on-one debate between their running mates for lieutenant governor.

That's fine for starters. But we trust that the two gubernatorial 
candidates will agree to far more debates than those two before the dust 
settles on Nov. 7.

Both candidates owe that to the voters of Connecticut who pay the 
state's bills and deserve to gain a very clear picture of where both 
stand on issues.

We urge Rell and DeStefano to also come to an agreement to appear in at 
least one debate with the two minor party candidates for governor, 
Clifford W. Thornton of the Green Party and Joseph Zdonczyk of the 
Concerned Citizens Party.

After all, these candidates gathered citizen signatures to be on the 
ballot. We agree with Rell, that including minor party candidates in 
some debates would be in keeping with the spirit of state's revamped 
campaign laws.

More important, both Thornton and Zdonczyk represent views on certain 
issues that differ from the mainstream candidates. Thornton is an ardent 
advocate for decriminalization of drugs and Zdonczyk is a longtime 
opponent of abortion and embryonic stem cell research.

Candidate inclusion would also be a fine guiding philosophy for at least 
one debate in the extremely competitive U.S. Senate race and any race 
for U.S. House seats where there are minor party candidates, such as in 
the Fairfield County-centered 4th District.

There are already 11 debates scheduled in the 4th District race between 
incumbent Republican Christopher Shays and Democratic challenger Diane 
Farrell.

Certainly, room can be found in some for Libertarian Phil Maymin and 
Green Party petition candidate Richard Duffee, although we would concede 
that Duffee didn't help his candidacy by listing a Stamford restaurant 
and bar as his campaign headquarters in applying for the first debate in 
that city. Maymin will be included.

Minor party candidates in Connecticut usually have scant chance of 
winning, although former Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr. was an exception. 
But, as the state opens up its electoral process from the clutches of 
the two major parties, who knows what the future will hold.

Democracy is underwritten by competing voices and ideas, especially in 
the political arena. Let the minor party candidates at least have some 
voice in this year's campaign.


	




-- 



Peace,

Ken Krayeske

Campaign Director

Thornton for Governor

P.O. Box 1971

Manchester, CT 06045


860-995-5842



*This message is paid for and approved by Thornton for Governor, Max 
Wentworth, Treasurer*