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News :: Elections & Legislation : Media : Political-Economy |
IL Radio Network locks out Whitney |
Current rating: 0 |
by Modern Vertebrate (No verified email address) |
25 Aug 2006
|
Jim Anderson of the Illinois Radio Network has told candidate for Illinois governor Rich Whitney that he will not be allowed to join the Oct. 2 debate with Gov. Blagojevich and Treasurer Topinka. The reasons cited by Anderson were manifold. |
1) In 2002, Jim Ryan said that Libertarian candidate Cal Skinner couldn’t win and therefore doesn’t have to be responsible for anything he says.
2) He didn’t want to “surprise” Topinka and Blagojevich
3) He had to do what network affiliates want
All of these reasons amount to absolute nonsense. But, okay, let’s take Mr. Anderson on his word. Here are my point-by-point questions:
1) Why was Alan Keyes allowed to debate in 2004? Talk about a guy who had no chance of winning and took no responsibility for what he said. Whitney is an excellent speaker and I’m sure a skilled debater. Keyes is just a nut job. Yet...
2) How is this a surprise? This isn’t China, folks. We do live in a democracy where open debate is supposedly encouraged. Topinka has already said that she would debate Whitney. And Blagojevich has had his million dollar flunkies try to kick Whitney off the ballot (unsuccessfully) so we know that he is aware of the possibility that Whitney may end up in the debates. Would it really be all that surprising?
3) Whitney says at least one affiliate said they would like to see him in the debate. Have the others explicitly said they DON’T want him in the debate?
One way you can help ensure Illinois voters get the best information, not cheap, half-assed information, this coming election is to contact your local newspapers, radio stations and TV stations, and tell them you want to see more Whitney coverage. Tell them you want to see Whitney debate.
Originally posted here by Modern Vertebrate. |
See also:
http://www.whitneyforgov.org/ http://www.illinoisradionetwork.com/ |
Related stories on this site: Off With Their Heads
| This work is in the public domain |
Comments
Contact James Anderson |
by Anonymous (No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0 25 Aug 2006
|
The voters have a right to be informed about all 3 candidates on the ballot in 2006. Please send an email to jima008 (at) aol.com">James Anderson at the Illinois Radio Network, requesting that he include Rich Whitney in the debate. |
What Excluding Whitney Will Prove |
by historian (No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0 25 Aug 2006
|
The machinations of the Dems in trying to keep others off the ballot and limit the choices available to voters show that the governor and much of his party really have no faith in democracy.
Thanks for passing along this disturbing news. "We do live in a democracy..." is a debatable point, so to speak, unless Whitney is allowed into the debate. |
Undemocratic |
by Anonymous (No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0 25 Aug 2006
|
The Whitney campaign submitted a nominating petition with more than 39,000 signatures, which they collected in a mere 90 days; despite that only 25,000 are required. Democrats still tried to kick Whitney off the ballot, even though they only need 5,000 to get on the ballot themselves. That's democracy? |
Pegging the Irony Meter |
by historian (No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0 25 Aug 2006
|
I just came across this story. Maybe Whitney should've participated in the Illinois Democratic primary and THEN decided to run as a Green?
Bid Fails to Drop Lieberman From Rolls
AP
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) -- Sen. Joe Lieberman won't have to fight to stay in the Democratic Party, after all. The state's Democratic registrar rejected a petition by peace activists to strike Lieberman from the party rolls on Thursday. State law allows for expulsion from the party if the member runs for office under another political banner.
The senator lost the Democratic primary and is running in the general election as part of a new party, Connecticut for Lieberman.
Had Registrar Sharon Ferrucci agreed to the petition, she could have scheduled a hearing in which Lieberman would have to explain why he should remain in the party that nominated him for the vice presidency in 2000.
The authority to expel a party member ''should be rarely and cautiously exercised,'' Ferrucci said.
''The Democratic Party is founded upon principles of inclusion and diversity of opinion and the promotion of debate,'' Ferrucci said. ''I do not intend to summon anyone enrolled in my party to defend the good faith and bona fide nature of their affiliation with the Democratic Party.''
Lieberman lost the Aug. 8 primary to businessman Ned Lamont, who criticized Lieberman for his support of the Iraq war and said he was too close to Republicans and President Bush.
Since losing the primary, most Democratic Party leaders have abandoned Lieberman and endorsed Lamont. A Quinnipiac University poll last week showed Lieberman with a 12-point lead over Lamont, although another poll this week shows the race much closer. Republican Alan Schlesinger had only single-digit support in both polls.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press |
Re: IL Radio Network locks out Whitney |
by babs (No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0 25 Aug 2006
|
What's Blagojevich afraid of, anyway? That he'll look like an idiot? Does he not understand that all he has to do to look like an idiot is open his own damn mouth? |
Democratic Primary |
by Anonymous (No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0 25 Aug 2006
|
Rich Whitney is not a member of the Democratic Party. He's a member of the Green Party. Illinois election law does not currently allow Green Party candidates to particiate in the General Primary Election. Besides, Illinois has a "sore loser" law that prohibits a candidate from running as an independent or member of another party once they loose a primary election. |
Green Party Headquarters Opens in Carbondale |
by The Southern Illinoisan nicole.sack (nospam) thesouthern.com (verified) |
Current rating: 0 28 Aug 2006
|
With the final decision from the State Board of Elections to be handed down Thursday either upholding or overturning the objection to the Greens ballot access, the headquarters opening is a signal to many supporters that Whitney campaign is finally in full swing.
Preliminary reports from election judges indicate the Greens statewide ticket has cleared the 25,000 petition signature hurdle.
"Really, we've already won the right to be on the ballot, but until it's certified, we're still on pins and needles," Whitney said.
Inside the new headquarters office, located at 606 S. Illinois Ave., the atmosphere was celebratory. Most of the green T-shirt wearing were still excited from Friday evening and their participation in the DuQuoin State Fair Twilight Parade, where they unveiled their unofficial mascot, "The Democracy Chicken."
Whitney said the mascot came about when Gov. Rod Blagojevich refused to participate in a debate if the Greens were invited. However, he said he would square off against Republican challenger Judy Baar Topinka.
"We want the electorate to hear all the points of view, not just the two corporate sponsored candidates," Whitney said.
Jennifer Rose, Whitney's campaign manager, echoed Whitney's remarks saying, "The other candidates are most afraid that if people hear of Rich Whitney, they'll vote for him."
That's what happened to Bob Wright of Energy, who is the Williamson County Democratic precinct committeeman. Wright said he is supporting Whitney for governor after what he said were three years of broken promises from the incumbent.
"I'm just sick of it. If you're going to promise us something, you better have a way to do it," Wright said. "Even with his new energy initiative, Blagojevich has no intentions of following through with his proposal."
Similar sentiments were expressed by Jim Moorman of Carterville, a retired coal miner.
"I've been involved with politics for 50 years. I've supported both Democrats and a Republicans ? this time I'm going with an independent candidate," Moorman said. "I don't can if people call me a turncoat, because I'm just fed up with their lies."
While the Greens proudly tout their independence from corporate campaign contributions, they are seeking funds from private citizens to continue their campaign.
For more information on Rich Whitney, to volunteer time or donate money, visit the headquarters office or call (618) 528-VOTE.
nicole.sack (at) thesouthern.com
(618) 529-5454 ext. 5816 |
See also:
http://www.whitneyforgov.org/ http://www.ilgp.org/ |
Related stories on this site: Whitney Promises to Fight for Full Employment and Bring Good Jobs to Illinois For Real Clean and Cheaper Energy, Look to the Green Party Plan IL Radio Network locks out Whitney
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Whitney's Campaign Manager Asks for Assistance |
by Anonymous campaignmanager (nospam) whitneyforgov.org (verified) |
Current rating: 0 29 Aug 2006
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PLEASE take a few minutes today to help the Whitney campaign. Draft a brief letter urging these opinion polling organizations to include all candidates who are on the ballot in their survey. Once you have a letter, please submit it to each of the 6 organizations listed below.
It may be helpful to know that most of these polling organizations are hired by media sources to conduct polling on a case by case basis. The people who will receive your letter are not necessarily aware of Illinois elections or Rich Whitney--most are operating at the national level; BUT, we definitely want to make them aware so that they can conduct polling that most accurately reflects the opinions of Illinois voters. If anyone has any further questions about this, please contact me directly and I will try to provide an answer. Thank you in advance, Jen.
Rasmussen
Phone: 732-776-9777
Email: info (at) rasmussenreports.com
Mail: Rasmussen Reports 625 Cookman Ave Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Survey USA
editor (at) surveyusa.com
please include your full name, title, company name, complete U.S. mailing address,
daytime telephone number, and return email address.
Mail: SurveyUSA 1133 Broadway #706 New York, NY 10010
Zogby
http://zogby.com/contact/index.cfm
marketing (at) zogby.com ZOGBY INTERNATIONAL
901 Broad Street, Utica, New York 13501 USA
1600 K Street, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006 USA
1-877-GO-2-POLL
GlenGariff Group
richard (at) glengariff.com
Telephone: 773.275.1320
Fax: 773.275.1458
Mail to Chicago Office:
1653 West Hollywood Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60660
Research 2000
http://www.research2000.us/contact-us
Tel:301-570-3593
Fax: 301-299-8164
P.O. Box 1454,
Olney, MD, 20830-1454
Gallup
http://gallup.com/contactUs/
Jennifer Rose
Whitney for Governor, Campaign Manager
whitneyforgov.org
PO Box 3803
Carbondale, IL 62902
Campaign Phone: (618) 528-VOTE |
See also:
http://www.whitneyforgov.org/ http://www.ilgp.org/ |
Illinois Farm Bureau Omits Rich Whitney |
by Anonymous (No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0 31 Aug 2006
|
Blagojevich and Topinka appeared separately before the Illinois Ag Legislative Roundtable's candidate forum near Bloomington Wednesday afternoon:
http://www.ilfb.org/viewdocument.asp?did=12229&r=0.1008264
They have the full opening statements of both Blagojevich and Topinka available on their website. Supporters of Rich Whitney, the Green Party's candidate for Illinois Governor, are asking the public to contact John Hawkins at jhawkins (at) ilfb.org and ask him to make a similar statement from Rich Whitney also available on the website. |
See also:
http://www.whitneyforgov.org/ http://www.ilgp.org/ |
Related stories on this site: Whitney Promises to Fight for Full Employment and Bring Good Jobs to Illinois For Real Clean and Cheaper Energy, Look to the Green Party Plan IL Radio Network locks out Whitney Green Party Headquarters Opens in Carbondale Whitney's Campaign Manager Asks for Assistance
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