Bruce Guthrie, the Libertarian Party candidate for US Senate from Washington State will appear with Democratic Governor Maria Canwell and Republican Mike McGavick in a televised debate October 17.

Guthrie met one of the criteria by raising at least 10 percent of the funds raised by the winner of the previous Senate election. The sponsors used the 2004 third quarter report filed by Senator Patty Murray, who raised just under $12.1 million. The Guthrie campaign’s third quarter report showed total receipts of over $1.21 million, qualifying him for the debate. Guthrie reached this threshold by personally loaning his campaign $1.2 million.

Two other candidates, Green Party candidate Aaron Dixon and Independent Robin Adair, are not expected to meet the criteria. Nevertheless, Guthrie believes they should also be included in the debates. “Our Democracy can only be strengthened by having a diversity of ideas in the political arena,” he states. “The voters would be better served by open and inclusive debates, not publicity events limited to those with access to money.”

Over the weekend, Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana ordered the Toamasina airport closed to prevent his announced opponent, former deputy prime minister Pierrot Rajaonarivelo, from returning to the country in time to meet the October 14 deadline to register his candidacy.