Grace Ross Protests Exclusion from AARP Forum

Green-Rainbow Party of Massachusetts
http://www.massgreens.org/

October 19, 2006
Released October 18

BOSTON, MA -- Grace Ross, the Green-Rainbow Party candidate for Governor, who will be participating in the final two televised debates, was excluded by the AARP from participating in their gubernatorial forum, scheduled for October 19, at 10AM at Faneuil Hall. Ross, who protested at the May 18th debate as well as at the environmental debate (which she was admitted to at the last minute), planned to make a showing at the event and to insist on her inclusion.

In a letter sent to the AARP, Ross wrote:

"I am hereby following up my verbal protest with a formal, written demand to be included in your Gubernatorial Candidate’s forum this Thursday, October 19th.

Clearly it is not in AARP’s interest to exclude me: * I bring more experience navigating Massachusetts politics on these  issues than any of the other candidates (even though you have  similarly excluded me from your issues profile of the remaining  candidates). 

• You have excluded me without really meeting your own criteria. I  have reviewed your materials and it says that you include candidates  that an independent poll put at least five percent of the voters-  Today there are only polls of likely voters – and of course, much of  my base is not likely voters – just like many of the constituents you  serve. 

• You also reviewed previous elections of representatives of my party  to see actual voting levels. She pointed out that neither David Cobb  nor Jill Stein gathered more than 5% in the final vote. Again, you somehow overlooked that James O’Keefe our candidate for treasurer earned 8% in 2002 – a clear showing over 5%. Pretty impressive for a newly joined party in its first year of existence. We will continue to build this year and in the coming years.

Surely, none of this is your intent. As I am also sure that your commitment to non-partisanship and actually educating the constituencies that look to you will make clear to you that it makes sense to include me."

Ross will be rallying supporters of her and free speech at Faneuil Hall, and will be available for comment during and after the protest.

Contact:

Colby E. Peterson
Communications Director
Green-Rainbow Party
www.green-rainbow.org  
saphron@verizon.net