Since CUIP first sent this email out late Friday afternoon, over 100 independents have sent letters to Howard Dean urging him to keep the debates open, and the blog world is abuzz with concerned Americans. Dean needs to hear from hundreds more independents, so let's keep up the pressure up.

INDEPENDENTS ACTION ALERT!
Keep Independent Voices in the Debates

At the conclusion of the July 12^th NAACP candidate forum in Detroit, Senator Hillary Clinton and former Senator John Edwards “privately” discussed their interest in narrowing the participants in future debates. This exchange took place after a forum in which former Senator Mike Gravel delivered a sharp critique of the role President Bill Clinton played in enacting NAFTA and Congressman Dennis Kucinich criticized the “top tier's” record on issues of voter fraud.

Watch the Clinton/Edwards interchange.

The exchange between Clinton and Edwards in which they discuss the need to eliminate "unserious" candidates from future televised debates has become news. Fox has done a televised segment, and an AP story is circulating widely. It's time for the voice of independent voters to be heard!

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has scheduled a debate every month until the end of the year. This is an important moment for independents to let DNC Chair Howard Dean know that we do not want him to eliminate the independent voices from the presidential debates!

Here is how you can take action:

1. Call/E-mail/Fax Howard Dean (and please cc national@cuip.org on any letters you send) to let him know that you support the continued participation of ALL the Democratic candidates in the debates. Below is a sample letter and information on how to contact Dean.

2. Contact people in your network and ask them to do the same. Forward them this e-mail so they can express their support for keeping the debates open.

3. If you are new to us, sign up to be a part of the independent movement and receive regular e-mail updates.

Please send your e-mail or letter today and start your outreach to your networks. Included below is CUIP's President Jacqueline Salit's letter to Howard Dean. We thought you find it of interest. If you have questions or thoughts about other ways to help, please call or email Fran Miller or Nancy Ross at 212-609-2800 or national@cuip.org.

Sample E-mail, Fax, or Letter
To contact Howard Dean and the Democratic National Committee:
Email:          Deanh@DNC.org
Phone:          202-863-8000
Fax:             202-863-8174

Dear Chairman Howard Dean,

I am outraged at Senators Clinton and Edwards' conversation at the close of the NAACP forum about narrowing the field for upcoming debates.

In my opinion, candidates such as Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel play a very important role in broadening the debate on crucial issues. Their exclusion would be bad for the democratic process and would shut down important conversation.

I urge you to make sure the debates remain open and inclusive of all the candidates.

Your Name and State

CUIP'S PRESIDENT JACQUELINE SALIT'S LETTER TO HOWARD DEAN

July 13, 2007

Chairman Howard Dean
Democratic National Committee
430 S. Capitol St. SE

Washington DC 20003

Dear Chairman Dean,
I am the president of The Committee for a Unified Independent Party (www.independentvoting.org) and I write on behalf of independents across America.

Independents, now 40% of the electorate, have a strong interest in open and vigorous debate in both major party primaries and are eligible to vote in open primaries in more than 27 states. Moreover, independents stand strongly against any form of political bossism.

I understand that you are the person who has negotiated the inclusion of all the candidates currently participating in Democratic Party debates.

The statements made on Thursday by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Senator John Edwards calling for the narrowing of the field of allowable candidates requires an immediate response from you. You must stand up clearly for democratic dialogue and against any exercise of “top tier” privilege.

Independents have fought for open and inclusionary debates for many years. As you know, poll after poll show that more than 60% of the American people favor the inclusion of the broadest possible range of voices in televised debates.

It would be the height of hypocrisy and partisanship to exclude insurgent candidates who have been critical of the frontrunners. Americans need to hear from more voices, including those that challenge establishment politics.

Sincerely, Jacqueline Salit