2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Larry King to Moderate Free and Equal Elections Foundation Third-Party Presidential Debate Tonight In Chicago

Larry King to Moderate Third-Party Presidential Debate
Broadcast Live on Ora TV, YouTube on October 23; Hosted by Free & Equal Elections Foundation
 
Free and Equal Elections Foundation, the only organization offering a platform to every major candidate, today announced that Larry King, host of Larry King Now on Hulu.com and Ora TV, will serve as moderator for its special 2012 Presidential debate. Hosted by Free and Equal, this debate will take place on October 23 at 9:00pm EDT at the Hilton Chicago. Ora TV, Russia Today, and the Free and Equal Elections Foundation will broadcast the debate live on the Internet.
 
The Free and Equal Elections Foundation has assembled a diverse group of ballot-qualified candidates in order to offer a truly multi-partisan debate for American voters. With sponsoring organizations spanning the ideological spectrum from The Nation to The American Conservative, it is clear that both the left and right in this country agree that the two-party system is broken. Free and Equal’s debate will be the type of open, honest, and solutions oriented discussion that the American people deserve.
 
“We are honored to have Larry King moderate this historic debate,” stated Christina Tobin, Founder and Chair of Free & Equal. “The previous debates between President Obama and Governor Romney have failed to address the issues that really concern everyday Americans. From foreign policy, to the economy, to taboo subjects like our diminishing civil liberties and the drug war, Americans deserve a real debate, real solutions, and real electoral options.”
 
Unlike traditional mainstream debates, viewers will be invited to submit questions via the web and social media, creating the first truly open and democratic debate on record. People can submit questions via Free and Equal’s website, or they can use the hashtag #AskEmThisLarry on Twitter.
 
Mainstream debates are sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates, which executes debate contracts drafted by the Republican and Democratic campaigns containing non-public provisions that sanitize debates, disregard viable third-party and independent candidates, and prohibit participation in other independent debates.
 
“Millions of Americans have already watched political coverage on web outlets like YouTube this campaign season, and we think there will be great interest in hearing from the set of candidates that Free and Equal has brought together” said Ora TV CEO Jon Housman. “The diverse perspectives of the featured candidates, combined with the unparalleled experience of Larry King, will make this a must watch event.”
 
“This is a truly exciting opportunity,” said debate moderator Larry King. “I have interviewed every US President since Nixon, and lest people forget, I helped usher Ross Perot into the national conversation during the 1992 presidential contest. I appreciate the importance of providing a platform to those with real alternative visions for our country’s future.”
 
Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson, Green Party candidate Jill Stein, Constitution Party candidate Virgil Goode, and Justice Party candidate Rocky Anderson have all confirmed their participation in the debate.

Free and Equal Elections Foundation Announces Second 2012 Presidential Debate October 30 in Washington, DC

Second 2012 Presidential Debate October 30 in Washington, DC
Viewers of First Debate to Determine Which Candidate Advances to the October 30 Debate via Instant Runoff Voting
 
Free and Equal Elections Foundation today announced that its second 2012 Presidential debate is scheduled for October 30 in Washington, DC, from 9:00pm to 10:30pm Eastern Time. The venue will be announced shortly.
 
As a follow-up to Free & Equal’s October 23 debate at the Hilton Chicago, viewers of the first debate will choose which two candidates advance to the final debate on October 30 via instant runoff voting online. The debate will be broadcast live online and will focus on international issues.
 
Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson, Green Party candidate Jill Stein, Constitution Party candidate Virgil Goode, and Justice Party candidate Rocky Anderson have all confirmed their participation in the October 23 debate.
 
Following the initial October 23 debate, viewers can vote for the candidates online, ranking their first and second choices. This form of instant runoff voting (IRV) — a method used in numerous countries, United States jurisdictions, and private organizations — allows voters to submit their top two choices, so they aren’t “throwing away” a vote. Voting ends 24 hours after the end of the debate. The top two candidates with the most votes will be announced Thursday morning and will advance to the final debate on October 30.
 
“This is an example of how a Presidential debate and election should work,” stated Christina Tobin, founder and chair of Free & Equal. “Instant runoff voting removes the spoiler effect and promotes more positive, issue-focused campaigns. This method brings neutrality and fairness to electing the leader of our country and eliminates the “lesser of two evils” problem.”
 
Watch Larry King talk about the first debate.
 
“The Free and Equal Foundation has done a terrific job in bringing together these presidential candidates,” stated Rob Richie, executive director of Fair Vote. “Its plans for a second debate should generate all the more interest, and it’s great to see such a good voting method used to pick the two candidates who will face off in the second debate. Instant runoff voting is a proven means to accommodate voter choice. Just as our board member and 1980 presidential candidate John B. Anderson said in his recent oped, the major parties should stop playing chicken with voters and instead enact instant runoff voting. Using the system to narrow the debate field to two will provide a good example of how it works — and how easy it is for voters.”
 
Free & Equal has assembled a diverse group of ballot-qualified candidates, political parties, media, businesses, musicians, radio personalities, organizations, and individuals across the political spectrum to support an open, honest, unscripted, multi-partisan debate for American voters and the international community. Current sponsors include:The Nation,The American Conservative, Fair Vote,Fair Tax Nation,Humboldt Sentinel,Before It’s News,The Josh Tolley Show,Ballot Access News,Come Home America,Owl Creek Gazette,Free Talk Live,Securing Liberty Radio,1787 Network,Voice of Russia,Freedom’s Phoenix,Muslims for Liberty,National Constitution Party,The Justice Party,Blue Republicans,Restore the Republic,Re-Tea Party,Free the Vote NC,We the People,Grassroots for Liberty,New Progressive Alliance,Libertarian Party of Illinois,Liberty Candidates,Liberty Avengers,Liberty Chat,Cook County Green Party,Marin Libertarian Party,Rockford Tea Party,Dangerous Conversation,End the Lie,Wide Awake News,Freedom Files,Kelly Truth Squad,1787 Flags,The Liberty ViewsLetter,Liberty Hour,Liberty Tree Foundation for the Democratic Revolution. ,Through the Mirror with Larry Sinclair,ROJS Radio Live,Drudge Retort,Freedom Informant Network,Gadsden Rising on Freedomize,Irregular Times,J.D. Nero,The Industry,StopTheLie.com,LulzBot,Ron Paul Flix,Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox,Elect1.org,Rense Radio Network,Milwaukee Business Promotions,Libertarian Party of Tennessee,Devvy,KCSB, Independent Political Report, Global Political Awakening, andNo Agenda.
 
The October 23 debate will be broadcast live at www.freeandequal.org/live, ORA.tv, RT, Al Jazeera, and Link TV.Click here to RSVP for the online broadcast.
 
The October 30 debate will be broadcast live at www.freeandequal.org/live and other media outlets to be announced.

Gov. Gary Johnson Releases Statement On Foreign Policy Presidential Debate

Gov. Gary Johnson Releases Statement On Foreign Policy Presidential Debate
 
Libertarian presidential nominee Gov. Gary Johnson released the following statement in response to Monday night’s debate:

“With only two weeks to go before Election Day, it is more clear than ever that the views and concerns of millions of Americans are being shut out of this campaign by the Republicans and the Democrats. Let’s have a debate not about how much longer to remain in Afghanistan, but about why we shouldn’t bring our men and women home now. No one on the debate stage is challenging the fundamental premise of endless foreign intervention. Rather, we have two candidates agreeing with one another about flawed foreign excursions we cannot afford.

“And remarkably, we heard a continuation of the fallacy that we can somehow balance the budget while spending more on defense. It doesn’t add up.

“There is a candidate who will, in fact, challenge the status quo. But the Republicans and Democrats don’t want the American people to hear from that candidate. Doing so would spoil the ‘two-party party.’”

Romney Campaign: What They Are Saying About Last Night's Third Presidential Debate

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: ROMNEY “LOOKED AND SOUNDED PRESIDENTIAL”

“Romney Did What He Needed To Do” … “He Gets The Win” … “Looked Cooler Than A Sometimes Peevish Mr. Obama”

The Wall Street Journal: Mitt Romney “Wasn't Rattled, And If Anything Looked Cooler Than A Sometimes Peevish Mr. Obama.” “Mr. Romney was clearly keeping his eye on his main challenge of the evening, which was looking Presidential on issues that offer an incumbent a natural advantage. He passed that test with ease, making no major mistakes while offering impressive detail on everything from the radical government in Mali—make that ‘north Mali’—to Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. He wasn't rattled, and if anything looked cooler than a sometimes peevish Mr. Obama.” (The Wall Street Journal, 10/23/12)

New York Post: “Romney More Than Held His Own, Proving Himself A More-Than-Credible Potential Commander-In-Chief. … He Gets The Win.” “President Obama went on the attack against Mitt Romney again last night in their final debate — a tactic usually reserved for the challenger. The president, no doubt, felt the need — given Romney’s recent surge in the polls and Obama’s disappointing record on foreign-policy issues, the topic of the debate. But Romney more than held his own, proving himself a more-than-credible potential commander-in-chief. By that alone, he gets the win.” (New York Post, 10/23/12)

ABC News’ Rick Klein: “In A Debate About Who Should Be Commander-In-Chief, Mitt Romney Was Just As Much In Command As The Man In The Job Now.” (ABC News, 10/23/12)

Time’s Mark Halperin: Romney “Completed The Trifecta Of Appearing As The President’s Semiotic Equal In Every Debate.” (Time, 10/22/12)

The Wall Street Journal’s Bret Stephens: “Mitt Romney Emerges Looking Like A Perfectly Plausible President…” “[Romney’s] most effective turns in the debate came when he brought it all back to the economy. He seemed reasonable and tempered and pragmatic and unruffled and therefore presidential. … But Mitt Romney emerges looking like a perfectly plausible president—which was no doubt all he wanted from tonight.” (The Wall Street Journal, 10/23/12)

Politico’s Alexander Burns: Romney Had “A Cooler Approach To The Debate That Reflected His Enhanced Stature…” “Romney, for his part, took a cooler approach to the debate that reflected his enhanced stature in a race that has tightened since the first debate in Denver at the start of October.” (Politico, 10/22/12)

CNN’s John King: “After Three Debates, The Trend Line Is Moving Governor Romney’s Way.” “After three debates, the trend line is moving Governor Romney’s way. In all nine tossup states, Governor Romney was in a stronger position this morning than he was the day before the first debate” (CNN, 10/22/12)

Politico’s Glenn Thrush: Romney “Showed An Easy Mastery Of The Details That Has Sometimes Bedeviled Lesser Candidates.” “Rules or no, Romney was at his most effective when calmly articulating his economic case and calling out the president for failing to articulate a detailed vision for his second term. … Romney didn’t embarrass himself on the issues, and showed an easy mastery of the details that has sometimes bedeviled lesser candidates.” (Politico, 10/23/12)

New York Daily News’ Joshua Greenman: “But For The Purposes Of Fast-Approaching Nov. 6, What Happened Was: Romney Did What He Needed To Do.” (New York Daily News, 10/23/12)

Politico’s John Harris: Obama Had “A Nitpicking, Overly Aggressive Strategy … Diminishing The President’s Greatest Asset Which Is The Fact He Is Already Commander In Chief.” HARRIS: “I felt that in a number of times when the president was making his point so aggressively. What was communicated in those exchanges was not strength and confidence but what was communicated was a kind of, sort of a nitpicking, overly aggressive strategy which had the effect of diminishing the president’s greatest asset which is the fact he is already commander in chief.” (C-SPAN, 10/22/12)

Commentary Magazine’s Jonathan Tobin: “Obama Wasn’t Able To Throw Romney Off His Game Or Embarrass Him … It Was Romney That Looked And Sounded Presidential…” “Despite interruptions and attempts to turn even the points they agreed upon into disagreements, Obama wasn’t able to throw Romney off his game or embarrass him. By contrast, it was Romney that looked and sounded presidential, avoiding issues that work to the Democrats’ advantage like Afghanistan and refusing to be ruffled.” (Commentary Magazine, 10/23/12)

Weekly Standard’s Fred Barnes: “Mitt Romney’s Aim Was To Present Himself With The Demeanor And Grasp Of Foreign And National Security Issues Of A President Of The United States. He Succeeded.” (Weekly Standard, 10/23/12)

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz Statement on Final Presidential Debate

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz on Final Presidential Debate:

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement tonight on the final presidential debate in Boca Raton, Florida:

“Tonight, the American people saw their Commander-in-Chief in President Barack Obama, and it’s more than clear that Mitt Romney is not ready to step into that role. The President didn’t just win; he dominated tonight’s debate because he was strong, clear and steady – while outlining a real vision to make our nation safer and maintain America’s leadership in the world.

“Mitt Romney, on the other hand, was incredibly unclear, uncertain and unsteady.  He endorsed President Obama’s foreign policy leadership so frequently that it looked like he was auditioning to be the President’s Secretary of State. But that doesn’t change the facts – Mitt Romney was wrong on Iraq, Afghanistan, bin Laden, al Qaeda, Syria, Russia and defense spending.  Tonight’s 90 minutes simply cannot undo six years of being wrong on every major foreign policy issue.  At each and every turn – including several times tonight – Romney has failed the Commander-in-Chief test.

“The President said it best tonight: Mitt Romney would take us back to the foreign policy of the 1980s, the social policy of the 1950s, and the economic policy of the 1920s. Meanwhile, President Obama’s policies would keep building on the progress of the last four years – standing strong with our allies, maintaining our unbreakable alliance with partners like Israel, honoring our country’s veterans, doing critical nation building here at home, and moving America forward, not back.”

Romney Campaign: What They Are Saying About Tonight's Third Presidential Debate

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: OUR NEXT COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

“Romney Looks Presidential. Period.” … “Passed The Commander-In-Chief Test” … “Very Strong”

CNN’s David Gergen: “I Think Mitt Romney Did Something Extremely Important To His Campaign Tonight: He Passed The Commander-In-Chief Test.” (CNN, 10/22/12)

The Wall Street Journal’s Patrick O’Connor: “Romney Is Presenting Himself As The Sober Future President, While Obama Is Attacking The Republican Nominee Like A Man Sliding In The Polls.” “Well, the distinctions seem fairly clear at this point: Romney is presenting himself as the sober future president, while Obama is attacking the Republican nominee like a man sliding in the polls.” (The Wall Street Journal, 10/22/12)

Politico’s Dylan Byers: “Romney Looks Presidential. Period. & That Is What He Needs From These Three Debates.” (Twitter.com, 10/22/12)

The New York Times’ John Harwood: “Mitt Romney Tried To Be Presidential. I Think He Was.” (CNBC, 10/22/12)

The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg: “Romney Passed The Commander-In-Chief Credibility Test.” (Twitter.com, 10/22/12)

Fox News’ Chris Wallace: “I Would Have Thought The Guy That Had Turned Out To Be Mitt Romney Was The President…” WALLACE: “Yeah, let me first give you my general opinion. And that was, I thought in the middle of the debate that if I had been on the desert island for the last four years and I had just been parachuted into this debate, I would have thought the guy that had turned out to be Mitt Romney was the president protecting a lead and that Barack Obama was the challenger trying, somewhat desperately to catch up.” (Fox News, 10/22/12)

CNN’s Piers Morgan: “Romney Actually Very Smart Bringing This All Back To Economy.” “Romney actually very smart bringing this all back to economy. Will resonate better with insular American voters.” (Twitter.com, 10/22/12)

NBC News’ Chuck Todd: “POTUS Is Consistently Trying To Draw Romney Into A More Contentious Debate. It's What Challengers Do Who Think They Are Behind.” (Twitter.com, 10/22/12)

Politico’s Jonathan Martin: “The ‘More Backbone’ Line From Mitt Was Very Strong” (Twitter.com, 10/22/12)

BuzzFeed’s Zeke Miller: “And Romney Pivots To The Economy In A Very Strong Way” (Twitter.com, 10/22/12)

CNN’s Sam Feist: “Men In The CNN Focus Group Loved Romney's Answer On Education.” (Twitter.com, 10/22/12)

Politico’s John Bresnahan: “Very Presidential Response By Romney On Schieffer Israel Hypothetical” (Twitter.com, 10/22/12)

Weekly Standard’s William Kristol: “Tonight, Romney Seems As Fully Capable As—Probably More Capable Than—Barack Obama Of Being The Next President. He Probably Will Be.” (Weekly Standard, 10/22/12)

Arizona Senator John McCain Statement on the Third Presidential Debate

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN: MITT ROMNEY WILL KEEP AMERICA SAFE AND RESTORE OUR LEADERSHIP ABROAD

Boston, MA – Arizona Senator John McCain made the following statement on tonight’s third presidential debate:

“Tonight, Mitt Romney showed that as Commander in Chief, he’ll keep America safe by renewing our strength at home and restoring our leadership abroad. By contrast, from his confused and misleading response to the terrorist attack in Libya to the continued massacre in Syria to the resurgence of Al Qaeda in Iraq, President Obama’s feckless foreign policy has weakened our standing in the world and made America less safe. We cannot afford another four years of President Obama ‘leading from behind,’ and Mitt Romney’s commitment to peace through strength is exactly what America needs to protect our national security in a dangerous world.”

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell Statement on the Third Presidential Debate

GOV. BOB MCDONNELL: MITT ROMNEY UNDERSTANDS WE MUST HAVE THE RESOURCES TO PROTECT OUR INTERESTS

Boston, MA – Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell made the following statement on tonight’s third presidential debate:

“The United States Navy calls Hampton Roads home. Norfolk Naval Station is the largest naval station in the world, and all Virginians are honored to have this great facility in the Commonwealth. Unfortunately, President Obama's dismissive comments about the Navy tonight should be concerning for any voter who cares about the safety and security of Americans at home and abroad. President Obama has not only ignored these concerns -- but his flippant comment about 'horses and bayonets' was an insult to every sailor who has put his or her life on the line for our country. Gov. Romney is clearly the candidate in this race who recognizes the importance of ensuring that our fighting men and women have the resources and the support they need to protect our interests and ensure that no adversary would think to challenge us. Tonight, Virginians, and all Americans, saw that Mitt Romney is the president we need in a challenging and uncertain world.”

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley Statement on the Third Presidential Debate

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley Statement on the Third Presidential Debate

SENATOR CHUCK GRASSLEY: “Governor Romney has demonstrated he's ready to be Commander-in-Chief. He's committed to restoring America's strength and positive influence on the world stage and knows America cannot lead from behind. In contrast, people at the grassroots know a second term for President Obama would mean four more years of muddled foreign policy, whether it's relations with China, Russia, Israel, Iran, or elsewhere, and that weak foreign policy leadership hurts our citizens and all those who look to America's example of freedom and opportunity. Governor Romney's candidacy gives America a chance to reclaim its position of strength in the world community, including effective leadership for economic growth and job creation.”

New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte Statement on the Third Presidential Debate

SEN. KELLY AYOTTE: PRESIDENT OBAMA’S OFFERING MORE OF THE SAME FAILED POLICIES

Boston, MA – New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte made the following statement on tonight’s third presidential debate:

“Today, our allies question the character of our commitments and our adversaries seek to challenge us. It’s no wonder why. President Obama has given the cold shoulder to strong allies like Israel. Meanwhile, Iran is four years closer to its goal of nuclear weapons capability, unrest grows in the Middle East, and the President’s ‘reset’ strategy with Russia has failed. In tonight’s debate, we saw two visions for America’s role in the world. President Obama is offering more of the same failed policies and failed leadership. Mitt Romney will reverse this irresponsible course.”