September 26, 2002 12:37 PM - Subject: Citylife
http://www.lasvegascitylife.com/
Third-party candidates protest debate exclusion
Nevada's third-party and independent candidates are raising more and more of a ruckus
over their lack of inclusion in various debates and forums featuring their major-party
opponents.
The latest such ruckus is being raised by the Independent American Party because the IAP
candidate for Clark County district attorney, Joel Hansen, was not allowed in a debate
between Democrat Mike Davidson and Republican David Roger sponsored by the Asian Chamber
of Commerce.
Hansen called on his two opponents to boycott the debate, held Sept. 24 at Palace Station,
to protest his exclusion. This did not happen.
"Everyone in the American system has a right to be heard and all candidates need to
be heard so that people have a true choice," said Hansen in a news release.
Hansen protested his exclusion in the debate.
"I will be there and so will other members of the Independent American Party to let
the Asian Chamber know that the minor parties will no longer sit quietly at the back of
the bus while the Republicrat single party system monopolizes debates and silences the
minority with their discriminatory practices," he said before the protest. "If
they want to leave us out they must know that there will be repercussions."
The squabble came after Pete O'Neil, an independent candidate for the District 3
congressional seat, complained about not being included in a Sept. 9 debate at
Congregation Ner Tamid. The debate included his major-party opponents, Democrat Dario
Herrera and Republican Jon Porter.
O'Neil's campaign staff went as far to say the Jewish congregation was jeopardizing its
tax-exempt status by excluding him.
-Jimmy Boegle