ing the League of Women Voters as the debate sponsors(Leone,_). What is the purpose of this commission? “ The mission of the Commission on Presidential Debates is toensure for the benefit of the American electorate, that general election debates are held every four years betweenthe leading candidates for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States” (Commission,_). Thecommission sponsored the debates of 1988, 1992 and are planning, organizing and implementing the 1996 debates(Commission,_). The commission also has a goal that is; “To afford the members of the voting public an opportunity tosharpen their views of those candidates from among whom the next President or Vice president will be selected. Inlight of the large number of declared candidates in any given presidential election, the Commission has determinedthat its voter education goal is best achieved by limiting debate participation to the next President and his or herprincipal rival(s)”(The Commission on Presidential Debates,_). In the case of a third party the Commission also has a position. The Commission developed nonpartisancriteria to base its decision regarding selection of nonmajor party candidates for participation in the 1996debates(Commission,_). The purpose is to identify nonmajor candidates who realistically have a chance of electionas the next President of the United States and who are considered to be among the principal rivals for thePresidency (Commission,_). The commission goes on to say that the chances do not have to be overwhelming, butmust be more than theoretical (Commission,_). The Commissions criteria for inclusion in the debates of a nonmajor party candidate is a review of thefollowing questions; Is there evidence of national organization, are there signs of national newsworthiness andcompetitiveness, are there indicators of national enthusiasm or concern, to determine whether the c...
