RE: How third party candiates get message out

[Ellen Russak <erussak@aol.clm>]

The question was asked: how can candidates, particularly underfunded or third party candidates get their message out.

The League of Women Voters along with other organizations have websites that allow candidates to have interactive debates with each other and the public. It is free and is similar (although much more structured) to this discussion. When I checked the site in my state last year I noticed that the majority of the participants were the third party candidates and the challengers.  

If campaign finance reform passes and the big money dries up for candidates, there will still be ways to get the message out.  I agree with those that feel that limiting money will make the messages more selective and perhaps (hopefully) better.

I am intrigued by the reform Minnesota has put in place - particularly with the idea of reimbursing people for donations up to $50 to any candidate (I assume it would be for only one per year).  

Many people oppose public financing because they don't want their money to go to a candidate they don't support.  I wish  I knew all the rest of the details.  It would seem that a candiate could work hard and raise a fair amount of money in small donations and a fringe candidate, or one just playing at running, probably would not (as it should be). The public money would benefit the candidates more fairly than it would if every candidate got the exact same  amount reguardless of their viability and the donators would be happy knowing their money was going to someone they supported.

That Minnesota has high voter turnout and few uncontested races is a testiment that they must be doing something right.

Ellen Russak