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Blogging will be light for at least a while because of an important meeting this morning. In the meantime, here’s your setup:

GOP gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka said Wednesday that she has accepted invitations to three debates against Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Topinka said she has accepted three invitations: one from WTTW, Chicago’s public television station, another from the Illinois Radio Network and a third from The Associated Press. She also has agreed to appear jointly with Blagojevich before the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

And your question: Is this enough? How many debates should there be? What topics, if any, should the debates be designed to cover?

UPDATE: From the Topinka campaign:

Per your blog post — just know that the 3 debates JBT agreed to are the floor, not the ceiling, of what she’ll agree to do. In your question today about “is 3 enough” kind of implies that this is all we’ll agree to do.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 7:49 am

Comments

Blago is and was desperate to get JBT in another video-recorded debate. They have run out of clips of her making goofy faces from her GOP primary debates to use in the “What is she thinking?” ads

Comment by newswatcher Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 7:53 am
Donâ€™t you fret; there are plenty more goofy clips.

I wouldnâ€™t count on any more than 3, she wonâ€™t agree to it.

Funding, funding, funding! Whatâ€™s her plan for education? How is she going to fund the hiring of 2000 AFSCME members? How is she going to find the money to give state M/C workers â€œa much deserved raiseâ€?

Topinka is good at telling people what they want to hear, but she lacks details.

Also, will politics play a part in the hiring of staff in areas under the control of the Governorâ€™s office?

Comment by B Hicks Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:11 am
I know one debate topic, “What was my reponse to the federal grand Jury” Great TV, Rod can expalin his answers, Judy her’s. Her’s is concluded, his isn’t. Hmmmmm

Comment by frustrated GOP Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:13 am
“Topinka is good at telling people what they want to hear, but she lacks details.”
- Sound like every proposal Blago has made since taking office. If only he had described how he was going to raid the pension fund, swipe the special state accounts, engage in hiring fraud, and take pay-to-play to a new level, then the voters could have made an informed decision in 2002. Now we know.

Comment by Anonie! Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:22 am
Hope Rich’s big meeting is to sign the contract for the new pool!

Let’s see Judy Bore and her cronies —the Ryans, Slick Bill Cellin, KJ, etc —skipped pension payments , used MSI to just steal state money for work the M/C’s should have been doing and invented pay to play.
I am trying to see how she will even pretend to be the next “change the way we do business” candidate. I think she should keep making the unaffordable promises.

Comment by Reddbyrd Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:33 am
I’d rather wait to see a plan from Judy thatn some idiotic plan from Rod. no plan is better than a bad plan…unless that plan is to get Meeks out of the running.

Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:42 am
Great but they need to put it on prime time t.v. so the entire state can watch this lying piece of scum we have for a Governor squim and twirl in the wind.Some of the wiser Democrats are calling for him to step aside because they know he’s toast.

Comment by DOWNSTATE Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:55 am
I’m tired of hearing Democrats complain that JBT isn’t giving details. The election is about Blagojevich, not her. He has Fitzgerald going through the governor’s underwear drawer. He has proposed selling off the school’s funding for a quick buck. He is running for re-election and doing it the Democratic way; promises, give aways, and claims of saving children.

There is no reason to give the Democrats any fuel to attack Topinka. She needs to continue being the challenger. She needs to continue asking how all these gubernatorial investigations are going. She needs to laugh, kiss children, and breathe. No details necessary.

It is laughable to read all these kooks demanding details. The last thing she needs to do is make your day and answer you.

This election is about Blagojevich and his rotted corrupted bancrupting mismanaged adminstration, not her.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:27 am
If the U.S. Attorney were to bring an indictment against Blagojevich, three debates would be more than enough.

Comment by Randall Sherman, Secretary/Treasurer, Illinois Committee for Honest Government Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:39 am
1 debate is enough for voters to see that Topinka isn’t up to the job.

That Andy Martin guy probably could have beaten Blago. But Topinka? No way.

Topinka’s got at least as much baggage as Rod, but completely lacks the temperment. She’s her own worst enemy when she opens her mouth.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:47 am
Blago and his cronies need to be gone the sooner the better before this state is in the same situation as New Jersey currently is. The situations are very similiar. Inherent debt, pile on more short and long term debt and continue spending without a source of reliable revenue. If I am not mistaken, Tusk was given his liberal indoctrination from NJ. Also, I am tired of hearing the Blago hacks blaming George Ryan. This guv has had nearly 4 years now to right the ship and it continues to sink.

Comment by Downstater Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:57 am
The state of the state - the budget of course.
Second question - How can you jusify the pork spending while other dedicated funds are swept to pay for general expenses?

Comment by Mr. Ethics Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 10:11 am
VanillaMan, how can you say that Topinka doesn’t need to give any sort of plan for Illinois. Why would anyone elect a governor who has given the people no details on how she plans to run the state. Blagojevich has a lot to answer for but that doesn’t mean JBT should just sit back and wait for Blago to unravel. If Topinka thinks she deserves to run this state she needs to prove it with plans and details, not laughs and kisses.

Comment by Ozzie Guillen Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 10:14 am
Reddbyrd & B Hicks:

You guys need some new material. Every thing you have said about JBT exactly describes Blagozo. As VanillaMan says, this election is about Blagojevich. He is the incumbant who promised to clean-up business as usual and fix the states broken finances. He is the one with a multitude of ACTIVE Federal investigations looking into his administration and has spent the state broke.

Why should JBT say anything? Heck, she can make all the faces she wants listening to Blago lie and and spin his obviously bogus stories.

IF your boy wins, it will be bittersweet. Unless he can “govern” from a cell.

Comment by Buck Flagojevich Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 10:14 am
Ozzie:

Blago’s plans for the state are working real good. Aren’t they? You want more of him? I hope not.

Comment by Buck Flagojevich Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 10:17 am
Don’t get me wrong I’m not supporting Blago (not a chance in hell) by questioning Topinka. I wouldn’t vote for either one of them. The people of Illinois deserve much better than either of these candidates have to offer.

Comment by Ozzie Guillen Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 10:28 am
Three topics that seem most important in Illinois right now:

1. Education

2. Poverty and Economic Development

3. Healthcare

I’d also like to hear some discussion about how each plans to address the State’s revenue and deficit problems, especially regarding the pension system.

Problem = I won’t believe anything Blago says (his word is worth sh@t) and JBT doesn’t seem to have a plan for anything, so I’m not sure I’d believe much of what she says either.

Three debates of BS is plenty!

Comment by Left Leaner Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 10:31 am
Reddbyrd, I think last friday’s news really threw you off your perch. Suspect most of us here were enjoying a brief respite from the AccordianGal (sp) comments.

Then you had to revert to form and scribe:
“Letâ€™s see Judy Bore and her cronies â€”the Ryans, Slick Bill Cellin, KJ, etc â€”skipped pension payments , used MSI to just steal state money for work the M/Câ€™s should have been doing and invented pay to play.”

You would have been a great history teacher in the USSR. Just change history as needed to suit the current situation.

State records will verify that George Ryan’s budgets contributed 100% of the legally required contributions to the State pensions-all from the GRF funds group. No cuts, holidays, bond funds, clever transfers, fund sweeps or other gimmicks. Cash on the barrelhead. It’s interesting, too that you blame Cellini and Kjellander for the Blago/Filan pension holidays. The former two have been blamed for about everything else bad over the past 20 years, so why not add this?

As for MSI, that was on the Edgar watch and believe no less than the Feds absolved him of any wrongdoing.

Pay-to-play? If some Repub invented it, Rich Daley and Blago have about perfected it.

Redd, why don’t you go look for you alter ego Original Bill..

Comment by Ol' Dad Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 10:58 am
Hereâ€™s a good debate question for Rod:
How do you justified tripling the engineering staff at the Illinois Tollway?

Comment by Plainfield Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 11:09 am
Oh, no.

She’s going to hire 2000 more AFSCME members and give MC employees another raise (regardless of performance, I imagine, given the lack of performance evaluations cited in so many recent AG reports).

Now, that’s not good…if it’s true.

Remember, given their lifetime job security, each of these new AFSCME positions, should they come to be, will each cost the taxpayers literally millions over their almost certain decades of employment. Why not look at reducing the number of people going to jail or going into foster care or whatever…a far more humane and forward-looking approach.

Blago is looking better.

Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 11:12 am
Off the subject,

I ran into former Governor Jim Ryan today walking down Randolph.

Coincidence or not, he was the person who hired me in state government with no strings or politics attached.

Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 11:26 am
And I was qualified!

Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 11:28 am
I’m actually surprised Rod is willing to debate at all, given recent events.

His overall strategy is to put down JBT, and portray the election as a choice for the future, whatever the past may have been. But when he walks on a stage with her, he puts her at his level, not beneath him. He has also learned (the hard way) not to underestimate her debating skills, and he has given her mounds and mounds of ammunition.

It shows an overload of hubris. He thinks he can once again blow smoke up our collective butts, with a tearful, Clintonesque “I love everybody and feel their pain” and trying to put all the onus on her. But he is Clinton Without the Brains, and people are seeing through the act, more every day.

He is the candidate seeking re-election, he is the sitting Governor that has to defend what has happened, and he will be feeling the heat far more than her.

Comment by Bubs Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 11:33 am
Uh, do you mean:
Former Governor Jim Thompson
Former Governor Jim Edgar
Former Governor George Ryan
Former Gubernatorial Candidate Jim Ryan
or Former Senatorial Candidate Jack Ryan?

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 11:35 am
Thanks VM-it was Jim Edgar!

Comment by One Man Can Make A DIfference Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 11:38 am
Today’s Tribune editorial, “Rod Blagojevich: Junior G-Man” is absolutely priceless as an exercise in devastating sarcasm.

Junior G-Man deserves every damned bit of it. And more.

Comment by Bubs Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 11:40 am
C’mon people hey Blago has a lot to brag about at these debates,Why just the other day a report came out and rated Illinois as number 1 in deep poverty rating of all the midwestern states.Now see there’s a good sign he has us headed in the right direction.CASSANDRA that’s a rumor they are using to get your vote.Like the last one “I will end business as usual in state goverment.

Comment by DOWNSATE Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 11:54 am
I asked a couple of Democratic friends if they would be willing to vote for Blagojevich if he was under indictment. They said they would.

Then after hearing themselves, we heard how they hated both candidates, so they would “have to” vote for Blagojevich regardless.

What does it say about partisanship and narrow mindedness when Democrats are willing to vote in a dead guy in Missouri for Senate, a stroke victim in Cook County as Board President, and even consider supporting an failed governor on the verge of indictement - just because? How much can you hate Republicans to the point when these votes can be justified? Are you even thinking?

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 11:58 am
Thought Rod wanted 10 debates just several weeks ago. Pretty quiet about that option now. Have 5 debates on TV and available on major TV/Radio stations around the state. Have a tough moderator with no softball questions. Both sides should put their existing plans on the Web so people can read them. Debate topics: healthcare, budget, business development, education, state services. Particular attention to paying bills and developing revenue for the debate topic should be part of every debate.

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 12:02 pm
Per your blog post â€” just know that the 3 debates JBT agreed to are the floor, not the ceiling, of what sheâ€™ll agree to do. In your question today about â€œis 3 enoughâ€ kind of implies that this is all weâ€™ll agree to do.

wow. i’ve been saying that i was waiting to see judy’s fund-raising totals this quarter, but this campaign sounds scared — i’d bet making a decision is really, really hard for them. rod is one lucky candidate — not only is he sitting on a hoard of cash, but everything we’ve heard recently sounds like judy’s not ready for prime time (in AAA, at that!)…

i’ve never (personally) witnessed a more inept state gop party!

Comment by bored now Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 12:31 pm
Hey bubs, does G-man stand for “GONE”…..

Comment by ironman Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 12:45 pm
the norm is now to choose the lesser of the evil

Comment by chinman Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 12:51 pm
VM has makes a good point. It amazes me that people will vote to reelect a politician with a failed history over an opponent from another party who may not be the best choice, but at least has a clue about governing and the stewardship of taxpayers dollars. Common sense should rule over partisonship but rarely does. If you think I am a Republican hack you would be wrong. I voted for Glenn Poshard over George Ryan because I knew he would not represent the best interests of the taxpayers. The same goes for Blago. He has shown that he has no regard for the working people of this state, only his own self interest.

Comment by Downstater Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 12:52 pm
Anyone know how many investigations are under way regarding this weasel and his administration ?

Comment by Plainfield Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 1:04 pm
Judy is smart to limit the number of debates she is in. The less debates, the less likely she will come up with one of her off the cuff “Judy” remarks that endear her to some, and make her sound like a crazy to others.

Comment by Niles Township Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 1:51 pm
I picked this handle because I’m a lifelong dem who will vote for Judy in the governor’s race, because I think while she’s of the wrong party, of these two options, she is the far more experienced and capable person for the job. And if she doesn’t work out, it clears the decks for some other dem in the future. The third-party candidates are still not credible to me, but more and more they are getting my attention because the “entitled” 2-party candidates get worse and worse.

That doesn’t mean I’m voting straight-ticket republican; they’ve ticked me off for years with their arrogance and insider dealings - but I was sold a bill of goods with Blago, and instead of reform, we got more incompetence, scandal, corruption and poor stewardship in 3 years than any two republican administrations put together. He makes me ashamed of my party, and ahsamed that the rest of them, Madigan, Jones, etc. are backing him rather than backing away from him.

So I think the best middle course is to let Judy try and do something better with the office, and act as a counterweight to a legislature that has been a rubber stamp to Rod’s excesses. The kids can’t seem to all play well with others, so they need a time-out.

Comment by Gregor Samsa Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 2:01 pm
Holy Cow, the Blago campaign staff is busy on this subject today. Time out kids - now get back to work.

No matter how many debates there are, I hope the moderator and questioners will have the guts to keep Blago’s feet to the fire and make him answer questions that are asked and not dodge them like he usually does. Quite honestly, I’m surprised he ever suggested debates, the day he stays away from live press conferences. Are we sure he won’t be faxing his answers in from another room?

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 2:09 pm
Everybody is too focused on the here and now. I think I know what Judy is thinking… and I think it is the perfect strategy. Sit back and don’t spend your money and be kind of vague, making sure that the focus is not on her… and let Fitzgerald do his job. Sit back until after the state fair, then hit the campaign trail hard with fresh ideas… start running TV ads in mid-late September through the election. If that is what she is doing, it is a beautiful strategy for having almost zero money against an incumbent with a ton of cash and a ton of credibility and legal problems.

Comment by Lovie's Leather Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 2:39 pm
P.S. Don’t expect much from either of them unless the debates are in October. I mean really, debates during the summer are absolutely ridiculous!

Comment by Lovie's Leather Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 2:40 pm
About the topic question: I would add three single subject debates on education, health care, and job creation, the top three polling issues in the state, and I would have the panel made up of:

Teachers, parents, administrators, education experts;

Doctors, nurses, consumer advocates, public health experts;

Manufacturers, Farmers, high tech employers, service sector employers, Labor Unions, Vocational educators, economists.

VanillaMan is half right, in the end, this election will be about Rod Blagojevich, but Rod Blagojevich is not just another Democrat. The other Democratic statewide incumbents and the chair of the Democratic Party have records as fiscal conservatives who believe in paying as you go, keeping the promises you make, and have run highly ethical offices.

And those Republicans who complain about partisans re-electing incompetent Democrats should fess up about who they voted for President of the U.S. in 2004. If anyone had a proven track record of being a screw-up of the first order, it is George W. Bush. I’m not saying two wrongs make a right, I’m just saying those in glass houses should not throw stones.

Speaking of which, one of the Metro-East dailies ran a scathing editorial Monday comparing Rod Blagojevich to George Bush for their double-talking ways. It’s just the kind of comparison Blagojevich does not need.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 2:43 pm
The only difference between Bush and Blago is Bush’s poll numbers are on the rise and Bush can print money.

Comment by DOWNSTATE Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 3:03 pm
Downstate - I’m betting that any rise in Bush’s poll numbers, atleast in Illinois, is merely temporary. The middle class is shrinking, and his foreign policy is a disaster. Nothing short of capturing Osama Bin Laden can turn this administration around. Bush is already a lame duck.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 3:10 pm
Jury reached a verdict in the Sorich trial.

Comment by Newsie Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 3:26 pm
Bush isn’t going up for re-election so he doesn’t give a hoot what we think.The question is.If Blago’s numbers sink more as a result of this criminal activity will you Democrats ask him to step aside?Let me tell you this fed has already flashed the Rico word so this is going to get bad real fast and the buck stops at the top.In other words the are not going to arrest Ryan for what has been goig on for the last 3 years no matter have much they blame him.Plus these stooges that work for Blago will statr writing essays on this guy.

Comment by DOWNSTATE Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 3:32 pm
Three debates are not enough because there really is not enough good comedy on TV anymore. I think they should actually do a reality TV series competition. Games like a 10 mile race(JBT gets a bike of course), $1000 shopping spree at Goodwill to see who can get the most out of their money, and a cage match (since Rod is a gold glove, JBP gets a bat). Then in November the voters decide who gets kicked of the Island.

Actually I really hope the Green party stays on the ballot. It is not exactly the same as “None of the Above” (thank you Brewsters Millions) but it will provide a protest vote for everyone who thinks “None of the Above” is the best choice out there.

Finally YDD I can explain in two words why people voted for Bush again in 2004, John Kerry. If Democrats had elected a decent option to Bush in 04, Bush might have lost. Some of us just decided the goofy screw-up we know is better than the idiot we don’t (not that Illinois Republicans had any say at all in the election of GWB). That is probably why Partisan Democrats are sticking with Blago, they don’t see JBT as a good option.

Comment by Jaded Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 3:38 pm
Sorich verdict split

AccordiOnGal predecessor’s prevent her from being the turnaround artists voters might want.

Comment by reddbyrd Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 4:12 pm
CASSANDRA:

When will you accept this fact? There are two types of state employees. The worker bees, maybe some have been there “for a lifetime”, and the political appointees. Blago’s appointees donâ€™t do much work and have the large salaries. The only work I saw them do was promote GRod’s destined to fail programs.

You always seem to want to paint all state employees with the same brush. There is a difference between the two classes of employees. Until you figure this out, STIFLE your comments about the rank and file employees. Most are doing their work and keeping there heads down trying not to incur the wrath of the Blago Brown Shirts.

Why don’t you go work for your local politician, donate to the campaign and ask for a state job? Then you can be one of them. Your crap regarding state employees is really old.

Comment by Buck Flagojevich Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 4:51 pm
Hopefully these debate invitations are extended to Rich Whitney as well…if all the candidates are not represented, it’s a sham debate

Comment by M.V. Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:01 pm
If Whitney didn’t make it on the ballot, would it still be a sham debate? What about Stufflebean or the Independence Party gov candidate? If they get invited, they get invited. There is no sham in not inviting someone who isn’t even taken into consideration in the polls or on the ballot. In 1996, Perot wasn’t invited to the debates because his numbers looked terrible. If nobody else can prove to be competition, then they should not be invited. Plain and simple.

Comment by Lovie's Leather Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:33 pm
to much cuban accent for you, eh rich? better get to work or somebody is going to scoop out of your blog/bowl. Like hairdo said about the stormtrooper “lighten/em up.” Think Big, Really Big. Do some actual investigative reporting. The avalanche has begun and you could ride the wave to your own book deal. It is that big rich and you know it. Same faces new patsy. IT is all true.

Comment by chinman Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:51 pm
Some of you people are in la la land. Even if there were some indictments in Blago’s administration, big frickin’ deal. Does the issue of even senior staff indictments always mean the Executive is in trouble? Didn’t hurt Reagan, or Bush Sr., or Clinton, or George W. And Jim Edgar had one of his very top guys, Bob Hickman, go to prison and people like Topinka still seem to adore him.

Unless there is some evidence that Blago himself is implicated, which there isn’t, all you state employees who hate Blago because he’s cut your ranks and is making you work for a full day’s pay for a change, had just better get back to work. Topinka’s got even more baggage and is the last person who could beat him.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 11:25 pm
39,000+ Illinois citizens signed a petition to get Rich Whitney onto the ballot. Even 25,000 is 5 times more than Rod or Judy needed. None of the other parties even came close, including the Democrats and Republicans. The people have spoken, and Rich Whitney should be included.

The organizations hosting these debates had better watch out–if they’re tax-exempt, they’re prohibited from engaging in partisan political activity; and the failure to invite a ballot qualified candidate like Rich Whitney could cost them their tax-exempt status. Selection exclusion is a partisan bias, toward the major parties.

Comment by MachineBuster Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 11:45 pm
No pollsters are taking Whitney seriously! How could you invite him to debates?! If the polls show him getting 8 or 9% then he should be invited. But if he can’t even come close to double-digits, he has no business being on stage… just like Andy Martin had no business being on stage with Topinka, Oberweis, Brady, or Gidwitz…. Heck, maybe Gidwitz shouldn’t have been there with his poor showing in the primary (I was a Gidwitz supporter). So, just because you like somebody, doesn’t mean they should have access to the debates. Would you think throwing Nader or Badnarik into the ‘04 debates would have done anything great?! It would have turned it into amature night. Skip the people that don’t have a chance and lets find the right person to lead our state! Whether you think it should be Blago or Topinka, adding 3rd parties will just distort reality! It could swing an election. Then we have to hear the word “spoiler” for the next 4 years. It would be a big freakin’ controversy and nobody would be happy except for the third party that says, “Wow, we got 6% this year. What a great year!” Personally, I’m not up to it….

Comment by Lovie's Leather Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 11:59 pm
Chinman’s post about the lesser of true evils is becoming a real altruism in the big elections such as the Presidency, the governor of a state and the U.S. Senate. Of course, there will always be exceptions to the rule, but in the case of a Bush vs. Kerry, Blago vs. JBT and Talent vs. McCaskill (in Missouri) are prime examples of races which, because there are no viable third party candidates, truly elicit mere partisan preference or the possible flip of a coin.

I am supporting JBT, and she needs to increase the debates or start raising some money soon. Her fundraisers with Dubya and my man John McCain will help, but she either needs to pray for an indictment or her campaign team and Governor Edgar need to agree to more debates. She NEEDS the extra exposure. And she NEEDS to propose a couple of debates in large venues (i.e. the Springfield Armory).

Also, as a side note, it is a shame when a candidate goes off script and people go on the offensive. Let candidates say things other than pre-written BS. Blago and his campaign (and state) press people are nothing more than script readers who seem to get upset if you challenge them or ask them to go off topic. It’s nice to have JBT spout off from time-to-time.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 12:11 am
The voters have a right to be informed about every candidate on the ballot. Now, if you’re making the argument that there should be fewer candidates on the ballot, that’s a different issue; but frankly, with Illinois having the most restrictive ballot access laws in the nation, and with so many uncontested races throughout the state, it doesn’t seem like that would make a very viable argument.

You also can’t make the argument that “no pollsters are taking Whitney seriously” because access to the debates is a major factor in how seriously the pollsters take a candiate.

I believe that both Nader and Badnarik should have been included in the 2004 debates. The Commission on Presidential Debates is a private corporation, secretly controlled by the Democratic and Republican parties. See the following:

http://www.opendebates.org/

Including Rich Whitney in the debates will ensure that issues get raised that Rod and Judy would rather ignore. At the very least, it will force these two to respond to those issues.

Look at Jessie Ventura–you probably wouldn’t have supported him being included in the debates, but he won the election! Blagojevich could drop dead tomorrow, and no one would have predicted it.

Last, there is no such thing as a “spoiler.” The spoiler argument is a lie, designed by Democrats in order to deceive the public. Many third-party voters are NEW voters, who would have not otherwise voted, and who would certainly not vote for Rod or Judy. The establishment party candidates need to drop the entitlement mentality–these votes do not automatically belong to either of them–they need to earn them.

Comment by MachineBuster Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 12:45 am