As Mitt Romney and President Obama took the stage at Hofstra University for the 2nd Presidential Debate of 2012, Green Party candidate Jill Stein was being placed in handcuffs.
According to a release from the Green Party, Stein and her running mate Cheri Honkala were arrested last night after they tried to enter Hofstra to join the debate.
Stein and Honkala attempted to enter the university a few hours before the debate last night. They were stopped by a group of officers. Stein held an impromptu press conference and called the Presidential Debate a “mockery.”
Stein said:
“We are here to bring the courage of those excluded from our politics to this mock debate, this mockery of democracy.”
Stein tried again to enter the debate grounds and was arrested for “blocking traffic.” The Green Party reports that Stein and Honkala spent “eight hours handcuffed to a metal chair in a remote police warehouse on Long Island” while President Obama and Mitt Romney engaged in their second debate of the year.
Stein has been petitioning the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) to allow presidential candidates outside of the Democratic and Republican parties to join the debates. Stein called the CPD a “puppet” that serves “the interests of the Democrats, Republicans and the big corporations that fund both of them. The CPD’s criteria to be included in these debates is designed to exclude independent presidential contenders who promote ideas that challenge those in power.”
Stein has gathered more than 14,000 signatures on a statement calling for the CPD to change its debate criteria.
The statement reads:
“The debates must include every candidate who is on enough ballots to win the White House and who has demonstrated a minimal level of support — meaning either 1% of the vote in a credible national poll, or qualification for federal matching funds, or both. In 2012, the Green and Libertarian party candidates both meet all of these criteria and are both contenders for the presidency… These debates belong to the people, not the politicians or Wall Street.”
Here’s a video of Jill Stein before her arrest.
After being released, Stein said:
“It was painful but symbolic to be handcuffed for all those hours, because that what the Commission on Presidential Debates has essentially done to American democracy.”
Do you think that candidates like Jill Stein should be allowed to participate in Presidential Debates?
I like to pretend the Green Party isn't speaking the truth but of course they are. Still Obama might do better for the US during the next four years. As a person I trust him more. And though I do not think Nader cost the Democrats the election I would not want to have that happen again. We do need 5 parties or more and for their to be real coice and a real chance for positive abundant change.
Of course they should be allowed.
I was just looking in my pamphlet about this girl. Now I know she's rad! Maybe I don't have to write-in Toaster!
Of course third party candidates should be included in the debates. It's a disgrace that Jill Stein and Cheri Honkala were arrested for trying to participate. I would certainly have loved to hear them speak.
Yes, they should have the right to be in the debates. Obviously, "we the people…" want to hear aobut it all. So far the debates between Obama and Romney have been childish and boring!
How ridiculous, arresting a candidate for entering a debate she should have been included in the first place! Shows exactly what is wrong with this country.
I just heard about her. Where has she been? WTF? What a crazy country. Fortunatley I still have time to change my mind.
745 I'll be home to watch the debate… Popcorn?
Yes, they should be allowed to participate in the debates!
Of course they should be allowed to enter the debate, unfortunately the media gives independents no exposure whatsoever, probably paid to do so. Schools never tell you the truth, that anybody can run for President, but only a democrat or republican have a chance of winning. What an independent needs to do, is pretend to be either a democrat or republican and once elected change their status to independent. Only way to make it.
Truth –
The Obama Economic Record – Inauguration Day – Today
- According to public records on government websites –
Unemployed Americans ——– 12 million ———- 23 million
Gas Prices (average) ———— $1.85 ————– $3.43
Federal Debt ——————— 10.6 trillion——— $16 trillion
Food Stamp Recipients ——— 32 million ———- 46 million
Health Insurance Premiums —- $3,354 ———— $4,129
Home Values (National avg.)— $193,400 ——— $172,600
US Global Competitiveness —– 1st —————– 5th
Americans in Poverty ———– 39.8 million——— 46.2 million
Yet, add all of the people that have not used G0V employment services for over a year, and 1/3 of those that are in college, and that brings a TRUE TOTAL to over 27 MILLION AMERICANS OUT OF WORK.
Obama OVERspent $$$$$$$ 7 TRILLION
+ 27 MILLION Americans are Unemployed (more than doubled since 2008)
+ 47 MILLION Americans on Welfare (more than doubled since 2008)
+ 370 THOUSAND Americans in College (nearly doubled since 2008)
= WHERE ARE OUR JOBS???? That's Obamanation !!
Who bailed out an Insurance Company 1st? Bush. The truth is we are just one party. Do you really think Romney would do better for any of us? No way. Trickle down doesn't work. There are 177 positive things Obama did for us. I am happy we have the Affordable Health Care Act. It will only cost me $75 a year. For full coverage. B ush got us into this mess Obama in 4 more years will get us out of what took the Corporations 8 years to get us into this mess. Of course we need something other than the 2 party system. Obama is the better half. The Corporations are the abomination not Obama.