{news} re: LWV-CT Announces Thornton Eligible for Oct. 9 New London Debate

[ken krayeske]

Thornton for Governor
For Immediate Release
Sept. 25, 2006
For more information, contact Ken Krayeske, 860-995-5842

DEMOCRACY PREVAILS!

The Connecticut League of Women Voters Invites Cliff Thornton to its 
Televised Debate on Oct. 9 in New London

Hartford - Cliff Thornton, the Connecticut Green Party candidate for 
governor, hailed the League of Women Voters as courageous and democratic 
for its decision to invite him to its televised debate Monday, Oct. 9 at 
the Garde Theatre for the Arts in New London, CT at 8 p.m. between 
Republican incumbent Gov.  M. Jodi Rell and Democratic challenger John 
DeStefano.

"This is a great day for democracy," said gubernatorial candidate Cliff 
Thornton, who is the first African-American candidate for governor in 
state history. "The Connecticut League of Women Voter's showed the 
courage of its forbears. I am certain that Susan B. Anthony and her 
suffragettes would applaud this. I look forward to standing on the stage 
alongside my Republican and Democratic colleagues to discuss the issues 
of greatest concern to Connecticut voters."

Previously, the Republicans and the Democrats reached a two-debate deal 
in private negotiations which excluded not only the League of Women 
Voters, but Green Party candidate Cliff Thornton as well.

Yet it turns out that one of those debates was co-sponsored by the 
League and the New London Day. Once the League realized that it was not 
excluded from its traditional, historic role, the League said the Day 
editorial board gave it the latitude to determine what other parties 
should be on stage.

The League had originally postponed its decision on third party 
inclusion, but once it learned it would be moderating a debate, it 
requested that the Thornton for Governor campaign submit a revised 
application for consideration. This afternoon, after reviewing the 
application, the League issued its decision that Thornton's campaign 
fulfilled all four of its debate inclusion standards and thus merited 
inclusion.

The letter it sent to the Thornton for Governor campaign said, "Using 
criteria reaffirmed in May 2006, the committee made a determination that 
your candidacy meets all of our criteria and you are, therefore, 
eligible to participate in League-sponsored debates during the 2006 
election." That letter is attached to this press release.

Candidate Thornton was thrilled to hear the decision, which ran directly 
contrary to the discriminatory stand of the two parties.

"Apparently, the Rell and DeStefano camps thought they could impede 
democracy," Thornton said. "They were afraid that I might pull some 
shenanigans in the debates, so they decided to keep me out. Their fear 
is correct. I am going to talk about the issues that matter to 
Connecticut voters and in today's restrictive political environment, 
talking about the issues of concern for Connecticut voters is a 
shenanigan."

For more information, contact Ken Krayeske at 860-995-5842.

-30-
-- 



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*


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