Two is a Party, Three is an Unwelcome Crowd

Rich Whitney, Illinois Green Party gubernatorial candidate, and supporters rallied against exclusion from the gubernatorial debate hosted by Chicago's public television station, WTTW, Thursday Oct. 28. The debate aired on WTTW's news program Chicago Tonight and only included Republican candidate Bill Brady and incumbent Governor Pat Quinn, leaving the legally recognized Green Party candidate, Whitney, out.

"It should be the duty of any sponsor or organization to help inform voters of choices," said Whitney. He added that the WTTW deciding to not include him in the debate was "absolutely outrageous."

Almost 30 supporters chanting "two, four, six, eight, we want Whitney to debate," stood outside WTTW as the debate began with hopes to raise awareness.

Phil Huckelberry, Illinois Green Party Chair, agreed stating, "TV public station(s) should not be in the business of excluding candidates." Responses from both the democratic and republican parties fell shy of a glance in the Green Party's direction as "they [Republicans or Democrats] don't set the rules, so it gets them off the hook, WTTW lets them have coverage," said Huckelberry.

This is not the first time the Green Party has been excluded from a broadcasted gubernatorial debate. At Elmhurst College Brady and Quinn squared off in a debate on Oct. 17, sponsored by WBEZ radio, where Whitney was not invited. On Oct. 20, The League of Women Voters of Illinois hosted a debate televised on ABC 7 where, again, Whitney was not invited, leaving only Brady and Quinn to have the floor.

Huckelberry explained the selection and standards process to qualify for debates. "The ten percent threshold at Elmhurst College and comparably sized five percent thresholds at other debates leave for some not setting standards, rather, cherry picking standards."

The process of a percentage qualification, according to polls, leaves for skepticism among many, including those within the Green Party. "All candidates are included in polling," said Huckelberry. However, polling is conducted on a public phone number basis. "Polling tilted towards an older age demographic and leaves out those who only use mobile numbers," said Huckelberry, "the phrasing of questions can also attribute to potential skewed polls."

Whitney also expressed his feelings about polls as he addressed supporters saying, "Polls are partisan political weapons intended to marginalize a candidate like me." He also advised those who claim "Rich Whitney is the best candidate" not to get discouraged by the system and pick the lesser of two evils. The idea that the Green party "spoils voting" also was addressed by Whitney saying, "[I] can't be a spoiler because you can't spoil a rotten system."

The Green Party candidate also stated the he is the "only candidate answering questions."

"I'm fighting for Illinois politics to be more informed and responsible," said Whitney.   

Bipartisanship politics within Illinois, and across the nation, has been questioned. Movements, such as that of the Tea Party, have voiced such concerns as well, being viewed by some as a group separate from traditional Democratic and Republican parties and procedures. When compared to the Green Party, the Tea Party has become a "heavily bankrolled money movement," said Huckelberry. He added, "The Green Party does not accept any corporate endorsements." The Green Party is a fully established party of its own, the Tea Party movement "taps into voter anger." However, Huckelberry says that people are angry for different reasons.

Jon Gronli, a student at Northeastern Illinois University, showed his support for Whitney at the rally. Gronli's support for the Green Party is rooted in the objection that "media and political systems are set up on the basis that who has the most money, has the most say."  Gronli supports Whitney's stance that "voters need to hear the truth."

Whitney addressed his plans to bring Illinois out of a "911 emergency" state. By investing in higher education and pursuing a green capital bill as some of his points, Whitney said he will, "do it in a way to have a functioning private sector."

"Investing in people…stolen from me by Pat Quinn," said Whitney, is his overall goal. A part of his and the Green Party's strategy is enforced by pounding the pavement. "By knocking on doors, politics becomes personalized," said Huckelberry, allowing candidate Rich Whitney and the Green Party to "become a part of the conversation."