Organized by 2008Central.net [http://2008central.net]

This petition is to request that the presidential candidates participating in the CNN/YouTube Debates receive comparable time allotments.

Thus far this election cycle, there have been 5 presidential debates: 3 Republican primary debates (hosted by MSNBC, Fox News and CNN) and 2 Democratic primary debates (hosted by MSNBC and CNN). In all of these debates, the participating candidates were not offered equitable time allotments.

In both of CNN's previously hosted debates, some candidates were allotted as much as 3 times more speaking time than some of their rivals in the same debate. In the CNN Republican primary debate, John McCain received more than 11 minutes, while his rivals Ron Paul, Duncan Hunter and Tommy Thompson barely 5 received minutes. In the CNN Democratic primary debate, Barack Obama was offered more than 15 minutes of speaking time, which was 2 to 3 times more than his rivals Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich, Bill Richardson and Mike Gravel received.

By extending an invitation to these candidates to participate in a debate, CNN, and other hosts networks, are recognizing these individuals as legitimate contenders in the presidential election. Accordingly, participating candidates should receive comparable time allotments. Otherwise, why invite them to participate in the first place?

Equitable distribution of time amongst all candidates participating in these debate is not only a matter of fairness, it is necessary to ensure that these debates are informative and useful. The absence of comparable time allotments reduces the value of discourse that should accompany a debate with such large groups and diverse opinions.

All candidates, deemed legitimate by virtue of receiving an invitation, should be treated as such and thereby offered equitable time. We request that the hosts of the CNN/YouTube debate pledge to reduce the enormous gaps in time allotments that have so far plagued these debates by offering all participating candidates comparable time allotments.

This petition will be delivered to CNN and YouTube on July 19, 2007 (prior to the first debate on July 23, 2007), but in order for it to have any effect, we need your help. Please sign this petition and spread the word.

More info...

URLs for time allotments from previous debates:
CNN Republican Primary Debate (6/5/07) --> http://2008central.net/?p=894
CNN Democratic Primary Debate (6/3/07) --> http://2008central.net/?p=890
MSNBC Republican Primary Debate (5/3/07) --> http://2008central.net/?p=656


Confirmed or expected candidates in the CNN/YouTube Debates...

Democratic Candidates:
Joe Biden
Hillary Clinton
Chris Dodd
John Edwards
Mike Gravel
Dennis Kucinich
Barack Obama
Bill Richardson

Republican Candidates (not confirmed yet):
Sam Brownback
Rudy Giuliani
Jim Gilmore
Mike Huckabee
Duncan Hunter
John McCain
Ron Paul
Mitt Romney
Tom Tancredo
Fred Thompson
Tommy Thompson

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