is a well-known front group for both the Democratic and Republican parties; its involvement in corporate America is more obscure. (Carlin) The Commission on Presidential Debates was established in 1987 to make sure that debates are a permanent part of every general election. This way the voters would be getting the best possible opinion of a candidate. Its purpose is to undertake research and educational activities relating to presidential debates. The organization is a nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation, which sponsored all of the debates in 1988, 1992, and 1996. (“Commission on Presidential Debates”) The Commission on Presidential Debates released the criteria, which a candidate must receive to be invited, and the magic number is fifteen percent. Which means that a candidate must be supported by at least fifteen percent of the voters in five national network polls. The CPD has operated over the years by collecting millions of dollars from large corporations. In return these corporate sponsors receive several gifts and benefits such as: free debate tickets, receptions, and trinkets. But the two biggest benefits that a corporation receives is the ability to have access and talk to a presidential candidates campaign. This gives the corporation the ability to talk to the campaign about them providing money and support if they in return provide sponsorship of the corporation. This is a benefit to both sides one side receives millions of dollars that are put forth in the campaign for such things as advertising and paying for spin doctors. The other side then receives nation wide recognition from a high power and would prove to be beneficial in the future. Really this is a no lose situation. The second big thing that a corporation receives for providing money to the CPD is selective exposure to the American public. Not only will the presidential campaign support the corporation the CPD will as well. There are several examples of...
