http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/ 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 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:1:18 CDT en-us 3 http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3595882 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST This is ridiculous. I watched the CNN/Youtube debate last night, and advantage given to the top tier in terms of time alloted to speak was extremely unfair. The fact that the debate was a circus-show like all media is beside the point; we have an uneducated public that requires to be spoon-fed information in small, easy-to-understand sound bytes, but at least give the candidates equal opportunity during these http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3594574 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST Seems CNN has picked its favorites. If it doesn't start showing more equitable treatment of candidates, it'll be no better than Fox News!!! http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3593888 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3591547 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST This probably won't happen, because CNN's only interested in the candidates that get them the highest ratings, but hey, there's always hope. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3589659 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3587429 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3587333 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3587309 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3585700 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST just is fair, fair is equal time, meaning, we already have injustice by these people..their not even are leaders yet http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3584317 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST Everyone needs equal time! Give the ones with less exposure more of a chance to make their case against the ones with all the exposure/money. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3584264 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST You guys better give equal time to everyone... http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3580432 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST Its unfair that the front runners, receive more questions and time. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3578784 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3577541 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3577311 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3575702 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST Barack Obama getting more commercials I get, but what about Dennis Kucinich getting the ability to SPEAK! myspace.com/novumoculum http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3575561 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3575322 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3574845 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/fairdebatetime/#sig3574475 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST