Liberty Maven

Apparently, there has been some misinformation being spread by blogs and news organizations regarding Sunday night’s Third Party debate. I heard yesterday on CNN from Wolf Blitzer himself that the debate was being held and all third party candidates would be showing up except Barr.

Now there is a report from the Miami Herald that not a single third party candidate has confirmed they will show up. Cynthia McKinney has said she definitely won’t be there. Both Nader and Chuck Baldwin are being wishy washy about it.

The only confirmed participant is the moderator. So everyone, myself included, may have been a premature with criticism of the Barr campaign regarding this event.

WASHINGTON — Just a few days after seeming to agree to appear at a third-party presidential debate, none of the candidates is actually committed to attending the event Sunday at Columbia University in New York.

Green Party nominee Cynthia McKinney is a definite “no,” saying she’ll participate that night in an online debate, appearing remotely via Web cam. The Constitution Party’s Chuck Baldwin didn’t get the invitation until Thursday afternoon, and his campaign manager isn’t promising anything. Libertarian Bob Barr was a no-show from the start, saying he had a scheduling conflict, and independent Ralph Nader, the biggest draw, is hedging his bets.

In fact, the Barr campaign has reiterated that they are open to the idea of participating in an event like this, but it needs proper timing and planning. Again, from the Barr campaign blog:

We are open to the idea of a third party debate if Bob’s schedule permits and it is organized properly with details laid out clearly to the campaign more than a few days before the debate is supposed to take place.

Perhaps some of the recent criticism of Barr and the campaign was unwarranted.