{news} CCSU Backs Burbank in Debate

[David Bedell]

NEWS

September 25, 2008
Contact: Harold Burbank, 860-693-2687

CCSU WITHDRAWS SUPPORT FROM LWV FOR AXING GREEN PARTY'S BURBANK FROM HOUSE
DEBATE

Canton, CT - US House 5th District Green Party candidate Attorney Harold H.
Burbank, II, Canton, was advised by Central Connecticut State University
today that it has canceled its sponsorship of the Connecticut League of
Women Voters' October 11, 2008 US House 5th District debate because of the
League's September 21, 2008 withdrawal of Burbank's debate invitation, and
that of Independent Party candidate Thomas Winn.

Use of CCSU's Torp Theatre, the debate venue, was contingent on the League
inviting all 5th District candidates who will appear on the November US
House ballot to the debate. Burbank's invitation, dated August 25, 2008 by
the League's New Britain chapter, was overruled by the League's Hamden
office this week, which claimed he did not meet their fund raising, voter
outreach and position paper standards required for debate invitations. CCSU
further warned the League that if it did not include all candidates as
promised it would consider canceling the debate altogether.

"Kudos to CCSU for supporting real democracy, voter choice, and debate
contract law," Burbank said. "I look forward to debating the whole field,
which is what the 4800 5th District voters who signed my ballot access
petitions want to see. The voters do not care about internal League debate
rules that deny their rights to hear what all the candidates think. Voters
depend on the League to help them understand who we are and what we stand
for. I had thought that was the League's primary mission until they hammered
me. On behalf of the voters who put me on the ballot, I am very grateful to
CCSU for taking a firm stand for free and equal political speech through
open debate. My faith in our state universities as key wellsprings of
democracy is reconfirmed."

Burbank was asked by the League to submit new evidence of meeting their
rules despite their contract obligation to include all candidates on the
ballot, but Burbank is not sure that he will do that for this debate.

"It is clear that the League is contractually obligated to CCSU to include
Mr. Winn and me by virtue of our ballot access. I don't see that the League
can require us to jump through more hoops. The League has no authority to
add new terms to this state contract without losing access to Torp Theatre.
As far as I am concerned, all that Mr. Winn and I need to do now is show
up," Burbank said.

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