Both Stein and Johnson succeeded in the first two criteria, but fell short on the third, according to a statement from the commission.
Advertisement
Stein’s campaign website said she and her running mate Ajamu Baraka will both attend the first presidential debate, and urged supporters to join them.
SEATTLE (AP) – Libertarian Party presidential nominee Gary Johnson is rallying supporters in Seattle.
Part of her speech addressed the news that only the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump would be able to participate in the first presidential debate later this month. “No other candidates satisfied the criteria for inclusion in the September 26 and October 4 debates”.
To qualify, candidates must have at least 15 percent support in an average of five major polls.
“I think we should have a debate with no moderator, just Hillary and I sitting there talking”, he said.
The commission is a private organization created by the Republican and Democratic parties “for the clear goal of taking control of the only nationally televised presidential debates voters will see”, Johnson said.
The crowd called for him to be able to participate in the upcoming presidential debate with a chant: “Let Gary debate”.
Whether you support one of the candidates, some of the candidates, or none of the above, debate makes us stronger as a country. The commission also stated that neither Johnson’s or Stein’s VP candidates would be allowed to debate alongside Tim Kaine and Mike Pence on October 4.
Though pundits did not foresee a surprise election victory for Libertarian Johnson or the Green Party’s Stein, each candidate made recent campaign gains that seemed to put debate participation within reach.
Before the announcement, Team Clinton was in panic mode over third parties siphoning votes from its candidate.
This year, with unpopular Clinton and divisive Trump at the helm of the major parties, Johnson, Stein, and their sympathizers have argued that voters deserve to hear alternative voices.
“. thanks to the electoral college, our national election is really a series of 50 state contests”.
Advertisement
“The presidential debate commission is completely rigged, the 15 percent threshold is unconstitutional, the Supreme Court ruling saying that they are not going to interfere or get involved in any way is a farce”, she said. The Johnson-Weld ticket is a third option to the current two bad choices, Johnson said.
