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Tweet this storyLibertarian Presidential Candidate Bob Barr wants to debate Sen. Barack Obama – and he’s using Sen. John McCain’s near-postponement of the first presidential debate as proof he should be allowed to. As Barr sees it, the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) has no authority.
"For the past several elections, candidates have used the CPD as an official buffer to keep competition out of the two-party presidential contest," Barr says. "McCain publicly proved with his announcement what we've been saying all along: The candidates call the shots as to when to debate, where to debate and who to debate."
Barr is also leaning on history. In the 1980 election, Ronald Reagan chose to debate John Anderson, one-on-one, without Jimmy Carter. In the 1992 election, George H.W. Bush demanded the inclusion of H. Ross Perot in all three presidential debates.
"It's time that at least one of the two leading presidential candidates show leadership and provide the American public an opportunity to witness an open and fair debate, based upon substance and issues rather than sound bites and rhetoric," Barr concluded.
Should Barr be included in the next presidential debates? Does America deserve to hear from candidates beyond the Republicans and the Democrats?
The McCain and Obama campaigns could not be immediately reached for comment concerning their willingness to open the debate to Barr or others such as Ralph Nader.
Jennifer LeClaire is the editor of The Voice magazine and author of "Doubtless: Faith that Overcomes the World." You can also visit her online at www.jenniferleclaire.org.
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