The Christian Science Monitor has this story, on whether it is good public policy to let minor party and independent candidates participate in debates with their major party opponents.  The story was triggered by a publicity campaign recently launched by Free and Equal, to expand the California gubernatorial and U.S. Senate debates from just two candidates, to all six candidates on the ballot.

The story does not mention that in the last few weeks, several U.S. House debates have been held in California, and everyone on the ballot participated.  Also there will be a U.S. House debate in which all four candidates on the ballot in California’s 6th district are invited, on September 20 in Santa Rosa.  The four candidates in that race are the nominees of the Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, and Peace & Freedom Parties.