A national TV show, the Keith Oberman evening news/politics show on MSNBC, conducted a friendly interview of Loretta Nall, Libertarian write-in candidate for Governor of Alabama, on October 25.
A national TV show, the Keith Oberman evening news/politics show on MSNBC, conducted a friendly interview of Loretta Nall, Libertarian write-in candidate for Governor of Alabama, on October 25.
I have never seen a write-in candidate get mor publicity than a candidate that is actually on the ballot. Bob Riley & Lucy Baxley are getting almost no attention from either the local or national media. It’s great!
Fox News Channel had her on too!
AND IN NORTH CENTRAL USA!
ACTION ITEM
From Independence Party Chair Jim Moore:
The Minnesota News Network (MNN)/Minnesota Farm Network (MFN) are excluding Independence Party US Senate Candidate Robert Fitzgerald from their sponsored debate Thursday, Nov. 2 in Rochester.
Three weeks ago, they set an arbitrary 10% polling threshold as a requirement for inclusion and all of our appeals have failed. This is despite the following facts / conventional precedents:
· On 9/1/06, Robert’s opponents Amy Klobuchar and Mark Kennedy conceded that Robert should be included in all debates.
· The threshold for major party status is 5% of the vote in a statewide race.
· Most other media outlets use either a 5% polling threshold or a major party status standard. Robert has met both of these (the only exceptions are Minnesota Public Radio which only uses major party status and Debate Minnesota which only uses a 5% polling threshold both included Robert).
· Robert has easily exceeded the 5% threshold in numerous polls reaching a high of 8% despite marginal media coverage.
· The Independence Party has maintained major party status since 1994.
If allowed to stand, this arbitrary standard could be used against all current and future candidates. There is nothing to prevent them from moving the standard up once again once our candidates reach this new threshold.
MNN’s main contention is that they feel Robert’s inclusion will inhibit the ability of their debate to cover sufficient ground. This has not proven to be the case in all previous debates.
We need you to call or e-mail MNN at:
Phone: (612) 321-7200
E-mail:
dmirnmrn@aol.com
skpaul@mfrn.com
ttucker@mnnradio.com
sturner@mnnradio.com
trothman@mnnradio.com
mostlund@mnnradio.com
dleatherman@mnnradio.com
pmeier@mnnradio.com
Examples of talking points:
· This is simply good democracy. Voters seek choices. Robert Fitzgerald and the Independence Party have exceeded conventional thresholds of merit to be included (see above).
· Robert’s presence enhances the debate and moves the entrenched party candidates off of their sound bites.
· Broadcasters have an implicit obligation to be of public service
· When it comes to questions of democratic choice, respected organizations defer to leaving the voters an option. They do not suppress the debate.
We need your help! Please contact them NOW!
Sincerely,
Jim Moore
Chair, Independence Party of Minnesota
MEDIA
The Pioneer Press ran a profile piece about this campaign. You can read it here.
The Associated Press ran a profile piece about this campaign. You can read it here.
ECM Publishers ran a profile piece about this campaign. You can read it here.
Minnesota Public Radio recognized this campaign for addressing issues directly: “Of the three major party U.S. Senate candidates, the Independence Party’s Robert Fitzgerald is offering the clearest plan about what should be done in Iraq.”
Finally, Jack Uldrich had a fantastic commentary piece in the Star Tribune regarding the strength and future of the Independence Party. You can read it here.
DEBATES
Debate Minnesota held a great debate in Moorhead at Concordia College. It was an electric evening with 700 people attending. You can listen to the debate here.
The League of Women Voters debate is Sunday, Oct. 29th at St. Thomas. It will be broadcast live on KSTP as well as KAAL in Austin, KSAX in Alexandria, WDIO in Duluth and WIRT in Hibbing. Governor’s debate is 6 p.m. followed by the Senate debate at 7 p.m.
MPR’s debate at the Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul is on Sunday, Nov. 5th and will be broadcast live on MPR stations.
CONTRIBUTE
Now is the time that your contribution makes the most difference. We are touring the state and your contribution helps us bring our message to the far corners of the state. Please make the commitment to support this campaign and click here to contribute today. http://www.votefitzgerald.org/contribute.html
THANK-YOU!
As always, thank-you for taking the time to read this message and supporting this campaign. Thank-you for sharing this message with others. I’m asking for your vote. Thank-you.
Sincerely,
Robert Fitzgerald
Candidate for the U.S. Senate
Independence Party of Minnesota
A New Voice, A Smart Choice!
http://www.votefitzgerald.org
http://www.votefitzgerald.org/blog
Prepared and paid for by Robert Fitzgerald for Senate | PO Box 205, Rothsay, MN 56579 | John Fitzgerald, Treasurer
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