Belmont Should Invite Other Presidential Candidates

Belmont University has an impressive list of programs and personalities lined up this Fall related to the debates and political processes. The cornerstone of all the fuss on campus remains the October 7th town hall presidential debate where some of the presidential candidates will grab the media spotlight of the world for the evening*.

There are other candidates running. According to this article, Independent Ralph Nader could grab 10% of the popular vote and Libertarian Bob Barr may capture 3% of the popular vote. In that same article are some unflattering words for the organizers of the Belmont debate:

“The corrupt Commission on Presidential Debates — which was set up by former chairs of the major parties and their big-media allies to limit access to the most important forums for presidential nominees — has made mockery of the democratic process. And some, admittedly very foolish people, have actually convinced themselves that one-on-one “debates” organized by party insiders to fit the schedules of friendly television networks are meaningful.”

Since the focus this Fall at Belmont University seems to be all-things-political, why not provide the other two+ significant candidates (i.e. those garnering more than a percentage point or two in the polls) an opportunity to speak on campus? The campus will be all dressed up in her presidential best. Why not invite some more people/politicians to the dance? What better place is there to expand the political envelope than on a college campus?

* Interesting that neither Obama or McCain have actually accepted the CPD invitation to debate at the three proposed sites.