The New York Times has this letter from former Connecticut Republican Congressman Christopher Shays, in support of expanding who can be included in the general election presidential debates. Shays was in Congress for 22 years.
From Congressman Shays’ letter:
To the Editor:
Americans are frustrated with their polarized political system and believe that their government just isn’t working, and they are right. A majority of voters are seeking solutions outside the two major parties, and there are now more independents than either registered Democrats or Republicans. But currently, independent candidates have no chance to influence the positions of the two party nominees, let alone be elected president, when they are not allowed to fully participate in the political process.
Why? A group of which I’m a part — comprising four dozen academics, business executives, and current and former military and political leaders — believes that the answer lies in the rules governing the 2016 presidential debates. These rules, which exclude independent and third-party candidates, are set by the Commission on Presidential Debates. The commission portrays itself as nonpartisan, but it is dominated by stalwart Democrats and Republicans who are determined to limit competition. Our group advocates a small change in the debate rules that would give a third candidate (just one) a real chance to be on the stage.