The Utah Debate Commission is composed of news organizations and the state’s public and private universities. It is chaired by the head of the Utah Republican Party and the Utah Democratic Party. Here is information about the Commission, which is obviously modeled on the Presidential Debate Commission.
It scheduled a televised debate for the evening of Wednesday, September 21, at Dixie State University, for the Democratic and Republican candidates for Attorney General, Jon Harper and Sean Reyes. Libertarian nominee W. Andrew McCullough, who was at 5% in the polls, was deemed not to meet the requirement to be invited, but McCullough was in the audience before the event started.
The event organizers were very surprised to hear that the Democratic nominee would not be appearing because he had decided to drop out of the race, for health reasons. But even though McCullough was present, the Commission still refused to allow him on the stage. Instead, they let the Republican nominee consume the entire time for the event. One-person debates sponsored by corporations are illegal campaign contributions, at least for federal office, although this event concerned a state office. See this story.
Sad that this happens when the Libertarians have such high support in the Western states. Pretty interesting that, at the same time, Arkansas hosted a debate between the Democratic and Libertarian candidates. Maybe McCullough can answer back in similar fashion to Johnson via social media.
Do you suppose that if Hillary Clinton calls in sick to the debates, they’ll let Donald Trump have the whole show?
“Do you suppose that if Hillary Clinton calls in sick to the debates, they’ll let Donald Trump have the whole show?”
Well, seeing as Donald Trump has changed his positions on some issues during his campaign, he could legitimately debate himself.
Great point, Eric L.
What is sadder than the “commission” holding a one candidate debate is the media playing along and airing such a partisan infomercial. The libertarian candidate should file a complaint to participating media ombudsmanpersons and ask that they salvage their reputations by providing equal time.