Political debate policy questioned

By Margaret Townsend Providence Utah

To The Editor,
The debates between the candidates for U.S. Senate are taking on a deceptive flavor in the instance of KBYU and KSL, both of which have refused to allow constitutionalist Scott Bradley to participate. When we first made calls to KBYU, they simply said no, because did not have a high enough percentage in the polls. Which polls? Last time I checked he had 51 percent on the KSL polls. (They have him on their polls, but have not decided to have him in the debates.) When later calls have been made we have been told the debates have already taken place and taped for later viewing. When we have asked to speak to someone in the events dept. they tell us the debate is scheduled for October 12th. My question: If he paid his dues to be on the ballot with the other candidates, is it not fair to him to be allowed to participate in these two debates? Is it not fair to allow the citizens of Utah to hear what he has to say on the issues so they can decide which candidate fills the criteria best when it comes to honest, good and wise? KBYU’s event department now says they have a policy which has been in place for 20 years that exempts third party candidates from participating! This is an outrage, it is past time to change this unfair policy! I would think that any American, whether Democrat, Libertarian, Republican, Whig, Constitution Party, or unaffiliated would object to this! If so, write your own letters or call and express your views: KBYU (800) 298-5398 / (801) 422-8450 and KSL (801) 575-5555, email: sundayedition@ksl.com.