Ralph Nader Revives Discussion about General Election Presidential Debates

Posted on by November 16, 2011
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Ralph Nader has again called for more inclusive general election presidential debates. See this story. The case for more inclusive general election debates is stronger than ever, because the 8-candidate and 9-candidate Republican presidential debates this season have attracted so many viewers and so much commentary. These Republican debates are strong evidence that multi-candidate debates are useful

In the entire history of the United States, there has never been a general presidential election with more than 7 candidates who could theoretically have won the election. For a list of the presidential candidates in every general election 1856-2004 who were on the ballot in enough states to theoretically win the election, see here. “On the ballot” in the years before 1892 (in other words, in the years before there were government-printed ballots) means candidates who went to the trouble to nominate slates of presidential elector candidates, print up their names on privately-printed ballots, and distribute them to voters who wanted such a ballot, in states containing a majority of the electoral vote.

The link to the chart for 1856-2004 does not include 2008, but in 2008 there were six presidential candidates who were on the ballot in states with a majority of the electoral vote: Obama, McCain, Barr, Nader, Baldwin, and McKinney.

$840 Now Pledged to Costs of Vermont Ballot Access Appeal

Posted on by November 16, 2011
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As noted here last week, if Jerry Trudell can raise enough contributions to pay for the transcript in the lower Vermont state court, he can appeal to the Vermont Supreme Court. This blog has been asking individuals to pledge a contribution toward the $2,000 goal. If you are willing to pledge any amount, please e-mail richardwinger@yahoo.com. At this time only pledges are being solicited; they would not necessarily turn into contributions unless the pledges total the goal, or very close to it. On November 16 a contribution for $100 was pledged, so the total pledged is now $840.

The issue in the case is the constitutionality of Vermont’s independent candidate petition deadline. The 2009 legislature moved it from September to June, a drastic change. The primary is in August. The change even damages independent presidential candidates.

Associated Press Applies 15% Poll Standing Rule to Limit U.S. Senate 2012 Debate to Just Two Candidates

Posted on by November 16, 2011
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The Associated Press and the Virginia Capitol Correspondents Association plans to hold a debate on December 7, 2011, for two particular candidates for U.S. Senate in the November 6, 2012 election. See this story, which says that other candidates for the same seat are suing to set aside the criteria, which are that the candidate must be at 15% in polls. It seems absurd to expect most candidates to be at 15% in polls, when the election is almost a year away. The two invited candidates are both former Governors, so they have high name recognition in Virginia and can comply with the polling requirement. The two invited candidates are Republican George Allen and Democrat Tim Kaine.

Virginia’s primary for the U.S. Senate race is in June 2012. The AP/Virginia Capitol Correspondents Association makes as little sense as holding a December 2011 debate for U.S. President between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

Montana Judge Asks for Another Set of Briefs in Lawsuit Over March Petition Deadline

Posted on by November 16, 2011
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On November 2, a U.S. District Court Judge in Montana ordered both sides to submit briefs in Kelly v Johnson, the case over Montana’s March petition deadline for non-presidential independent candidates. Both sides will file simultaneously, on November 25. Then, each side will respond to the other side’s brief on December 9.

This case had been filed in 2008 by Steve Kelly, an independent candidate for U.S. Senate. In 2007 the Montana legislature had moved the petition deadline for non-presidential independent candidates from June to March. The Montana primary is in June. The U.S. District Court had ruled on February 3, 2010, that plaintiffs lack standing, but the 9th circuit had reversed that conclusion on December 10, 2010, and sent the case back to U.S. District Court for a ruling on the merits.