Why did the DNC give way to the CPD?

[penguin7]

http://www2.kucinich.us/issues/open_debates.php

Presidential debates are the single most important event in the process of selecting a presidential candidate. They provide the American people with the opportunity to view all viable candidates as they discuss important issues in an unscripted manner, designed with the best interests of the people, not the political parties, in mind. They are an essential component of true democracy in America.

Unfortunately, the value of this democratic principle has failed under the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). Established in 1988 as an extension of the major political parties, the CPD has transformed the presidential debates from dynamic political forums to "glorified news conferences," where candidates recite prepackaged sound bites and avoid discussion of significant issues.

Prior to this control, the presidential debates were faithfully sponsored by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters, who courageously included popular independent candidates, such as Congressman John Anderson, and prohibited major party campaigns from manipulating debate environments. The Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee, however, did not want a sponsor who limited their candidates' control in order to further public interest. Their official agreement "for the parties to take over presidential debates" has led to a complete partisan control of these important events by major parties with little to no interest in promoting any alternatives to business as usual in Washington.

I believe in the power of open debates to restore higher values of democracy and voter education to the American political process. By establishing a Citizen's Debate Commission to replace the CPD, the American public can once again see presidential debates that are rigorous, fair, and inclusive of important issues and all popular candidates. There is an increasing demand for voices that challenge the bipartisan consensus on many critical issues in America, and I am one of those voices. It is time for open debates that will serve the American people first.

[Kucinich4America]

1. The CPD should be the second thing to be dismantled

Right after the DLC, of course.

Restore the REAL debates. We would have NEVER had to put up with a moron in the White House for the last 7 years without scripted phony "debates" (not to mention fraudulent vote counts and a rigged Supreme Court)