09/09/2005: "Why Exclude candidate?"

Steve Ludwig, Green Party candidate for District Three County Commissioner, was not allowed (by the Journal) into the forum on SJI.

In subsequent fora, perhaps the following questions should be asked of the candidates early on when questions are solicited from the floor:

Why is Mr. Ludwig not allowed in this forum? We know that at least one of the candidates at the speaker's table (Mr. Myhr) has requested it. We know that on SJI, the Senior Center Board had voted to allow Mr. Ludwig in Tuesday' nights forum. We know that they were worried about their non-profit status, should an obviously partisan presentation such as this were to go on. Did the Journal take advantage of the current lack of a Senior Center director to push their desires through in spite of the Board's opposition? We know that the League of Women Voters invited Green Ben White to participate in its pre-primary forum in 2004 August 2004, even though he, like Mr. Ludwig was not on the primary ballot in 2004. What conceivable rationale could the Journal have in keeping Mr. Ludwig from speaking?

Tom Munsey
Friday Harbor