{news} Hartford Courant on Burbank's exclusion

[David Bedell]

http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-ctdebates0927.artsep27,0,3749627.story

CCSU: League Must Invite Minor-Party Candidates To Debate

By MARK PAZNIOKAS
Courant Staff Writer

September 27, 2008

Central Connecticut State University wants the League of Women Voters to
either open its 5th Congressional District debate to minor-party candidates
or move the event off its New Britain campus.

"The league is welcome to do what it wants, but CCSU cannot participate in
the event nor serve as the venue if candidates are excluded from the
debate," said Mark McLaughlin, a university spokesman.

The league's statewide office notified minor-party candidates this week that
they were unwelcome at debates the group is sponsoring in the 2nd, 4th and
5th districts.

The decision prompted an outcry from candidates who qualified for the
ballot, yet were deemed insufficiently competitive by the league.

In the 5th, that meant Harold H. Burbank II of the Green Party and Thomas
Winn of the Independent Party would be left out of the Oct. 11 debate.

"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," Burbank said.

It was unclear Friday if the debate would go forward at CCSU without the
league's sponsorship or if the league would find a new location.

"It's a shame," said Pat Donovan, the debate coordinator for the league.

Donovan said the group's debate committee would discuss its options this
weekend. One possibility is to ask the minor-party candidates to submit more
material to meet the league's criteria.

The criteria include evidence of campaign activity, such as fundraising and
position papers.

Contact Mark Pazniokas at mpazniokas@ courant.com

Copyright © 2008, The Hartford Courant