McMullin Campaign Points to Bias of Commission on Debates

   Independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin's campaign today pointed out that the commission on the presidential debates is owned and operated by the Democratic and Republican parties. If that is correct, the commission would have a conflict of interest in deciding whether to include minor candidates. 

   "Let’s get this out of the way up front: the presidential debates are rigged," wrote Joel Searby, chief strategist for the campaign. "The Commission on Presidential Debates will never let anyone but the two major party nominees into the debate. Why? Because the “Commission” for Presidential Debates isn’t a public commission at all — it’s a corporation owned and operated by the two major parties."

   Searsby pointed out that in during the campaign for the Republican nomination, all the credible candidates were placed on the stage, although some were on the undercard, joining in a debate before the main debate.

   If we believe in fairness, and we can see the commission governing the debates has a conflict of interest, we should call for replacing the commission with an independent commission.

   Below is the full email sent to supporters by the McMullin campaign.

The American people deserve to hear from all the candidates in the debates. Add your name if you agree. Demand Debates John, Let’s get this out of the way up front: the presidential debates are rigged. The Commission on Presidential Debates will never let anyone but the two major party nominees into the debate. Why? Because the “Commission” for Presidential Debates isn’t a public commission at all — it’s a corporation owned and operated by the two major parties. The Commission on Presidential Debates is not an honest broker, and it doesn’t serve the public interest. It exists to protect Hillary and Trump — not to look out for the American people. Nearly two-thirds of Americans hold unfavorable views of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. And when the media present them with alternative voices, hundreds of thousands of them tune in to listen. The American people are hungry for new ideas and new leadership. It’s time for a change. During the 2016 Republican Presidential Primary, the major networks held frequent, televised debates for all candidates. They split the stage in two: a prime time debate for the candidates with the highest poll numbers, and an earlier debate for the other credible candidates. (And rightly so, since one of the candidates in the undercard debates ended up a top-three finisher in the primaries.) Add your name and ask Gary Johnson and Jill Stein to join us in demanding debates for all candidates — whether the “Commission” approves them or not. Joel Searby Chief Strategist, McMullin for President