Bob Bird still blocked from forum
Published Tuesday, September 23, 2008
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Stumble It!The Alaskan Independence Party made little headway in gaining a seat for Bob Bird at an upcoming Fairbanks candidates’ forum.
Party chair Lynette Clark asked the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce to waive its policy that governs which candidates are eligible for a forum invitation. The chamber’s board of directors declined to discuss a waiver at its meeting Monday. A question of whether to do so died for lack of a motion.
Clark and Rick Sikma, who was a primary election candidate for U.S. Senate, were at the lunch to protest the chamber’s policy. They also submitted a letter supporting Bird’s invitation from Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. The Republican is Sen. Ted Stevens.
“We haven’t been heard yet, but we’re gonna be,” Clark vowed after the meeting. She charged that the chamber is denying its membership an opportunity to hear from a viable candidate and make a choice.
Bird garnered 5.5 percent of the combined vote in the primary election. However, chamber policy for the forums only allows candidates representing parties that collected more than 3 percent of the total vote in the last general election. In 2006, the AIP candidate pulled together less than one percent of total votes cast.
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...very sad. It's a shame that another voice can not be heard. Don't give me "the rules are clear" speech. Every situation is unique and there is nothing normal about this election cycle. Let Mr. Bird have his day...just another reason the Chamber has such an elite persona.
So how is a party supposed to get 5% of the vote if they can't attend forums? This is part of the two party system we face. We can't have new candidates unless their party gets a significant portion of votes, and they can't get votes if no one sees them or hears what they have to say.
As long as the Republican and Democrat parties ping-pong between each other, blocking out competition, we'll always be faced with the lesser of two evils rather than someone we WANT to vote for.
Bob Bird is far the best candidate. The chamber is afraid because if he can be heard, he will have a chance to win, and it is unacceptable in the twin party system.
Bird is going to have to do an end-run around this. The people of Fairbanks should start giving him the financial resources he will need . . . NOW! His ad in the Anc Daily News Monday was powerful. Get on his website and contribute online a.s.a.p. Get hold of Cuddy, Hickel, Coghill, Ron Paul and tell them to endorse him. Stop waiting for the stodgy chamber to see the light--- let's do it ourselves!
Send a letter to them! Call businesses!
Dear Members of the Board and Staff;
I am requesting you and the members of the chamber reconsider putting Bob Bird on the debate schedule. In a time when Alaskans are facing the highest gas prices and heating fuel costs in history, proposals to increase property taxes, and commodities across the board are going up; not to mention the federal government is spending $700 Billion dollars to bail out corrupt companies with your tax dollars. Not to mention the Billion that went to Georgia or the 6.2% unemployment rate.
I just cannot understand how any organization would consider limiting the voice of the people during such tribulation.
Additionally, ANCHORAGE, the largest city in Alaska, CHAMBER KEEPS BIRD ON THE OCTOBER 27 FORUM! Why not Fairbanks? Fairbanks citizens need an answer as to why the members votes the way they did, why the debate is so limiting, and why deny this choice to the people given the other options.
Consider this, Steven's goes to Jail. Stevens (Godforbid at 70+) has health issues and is not able to serve (even if elected). Thanks to Fairbanks, we have only heard one voice; we have only been exposed to one option.
More importantly, Alaska as part of America is still a democracy; we respect opinions, choices, and voices of fellow Americans. Alaskans feel the same and will stand up, JUST AS WE DEMONSTRATED AT THE RNC, our voice matters. Bob Bird, as a teacher, civic leader, and upstanding Alaskan who pays his taxes and deserves the opportunity to debate. This is not for him, but for freedom to decide.
Do the right thing, be American, ALLOW BOB TO DEBATE!
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