I know what you are thinking: who is Gary Johnson? Gary Johnson is the former, two-term governor of New Mexico and the Libertarian presidential candidate for the 2016 election. Johnson is suitable to be the next President of the United States because of his significant executive experience and devotion to serving his country. Most people doubt Johnson’s chance at being elected because he is a third party candidate; however, Johnson definitely has a chance, despite that chance being extremely slim. Unfortunately, the chance will only be secured if the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) will #LetGaryDebate.

The first presidential debate this year will be held at Hofstra University in New York tonight. Republican nominee, Donald Trump, and Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, will be attending this debate. Simultaneously Johnson will be excluded because he hasn’t acquired the 15-percent threshold required on five national polls.
Johnson is on the ballot in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Due to the fact that Johnson will appear on ballots nationwide, he should have his voice heard in order to keep the election fair and meet democratic principles. With the two most unpopular candidates in recent history bickering over who is more incompetent, the CPD should let Johnson speak to the issues.

Most people can agree that both Trump and Clinton would be embarrassing representations of this country: one wears his personality on his sleeve and the other hides it behind her foundation. If Johnson were to be included in the presidential debates, the American people would be rejuvenated to hear someone speak from his heart, rather from his pocket book or hushed political agenda of power. 76% of Americans polled by USA Today wanted third-party candidates in the debates if they made the ballot in a majority of states.

Any debate between Hillary and Donald promises to be a humorous brawl: whichever one howls the loudest will be deemed winner. If Gary Johnson is added, both parties will debate on substance, rather than the other’s abysmal record. Wanting Gary Johnson in the debates is not simply a matter of who one supports. Johnson’s presence will force the topic of real issues rather than the constant personal attacks for which this election is becoming known.

Johnson is a dynamic and qualified contender for chief executive—but only if he is given equal opportunity as the other candidates. If the Commission on Presidential Debates wants to execute and demonstrate true democracy through this election, it will #LetGaryDebate.

Please contact the Commission on Presidential Debates at [email protected] or by phone at (202) 872-1020 to let them know that you want them to #LetGaryDebate.