Despite Strong Polling, Libertarian Barred from Florida Gubernatorial Debate

[coredumped]

Clearwater, Florida -- A violation of first amendment rights -- that's what a gubernatorial candidate for governor is saying to him.

Libertarian Adrian Wyllie says he's being blacklisted from upcoming debates with Governor Rick Scott and Former Governor Charlie Crist.

He says it's against the law and is now taking the issue to court.

Political debates usually bring a big audience, big discussions, and big topics and Wylie doesn't think it is fair that he is missing out.

"Even though I was invited to debates initially, I'm now being blacklisted," says Wyllie.

Wyllie believes organizers of this year's debates have made it impossible for other candidates, rather than republicans or democrats, to participate.

"The objective is to only include the two major party candidates and to keep people of Florida in the dark, that they do have additional choices," says Wyllie.

In recent years, candidates have only had to gain 7% of voter Support, which Wyllie has, polling many times at 9%. But at the Oct. 15 debate at Broward College, sponsored by Leadership Florida and the Florida Press Association, organizers have adopted rules that candidates must have at least 15%.

"It's not uncommon for people sponsoring debates to try and limit them to only two primary parties. That is fundamentally unfair," says Attorney Luke Lirot.

Lirot says he's now backing Wyllie, and filing legal action that would allow Wyllie to debate.

"First amendment speeches seems to be pinnacle for first amendment rights and anyone running for office should be able to get their message running for office," says Lirot.

He says Wyllie's first amendment rights are being broken and Lirot is making sure they are fixed.

"These are viable candidates that have great deal of support. I think it's a real disservice to citizens of Florida," says Lirot.

Lirot says time is of the essence as there's only two weeks left until the first debate. He hopes the judge can make a decision soon.

http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/politics/2014/09/26/adrian-wyllie/16272939/

Well, that's 1 way to keep the 2-party system alive and well.

[FSBA]

Wyllie received 13% in the latest poll by 0ptimus FL

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2014/10/0ptimus-fl-poll-adrian-wyllie-gaining-at-13-charlie-crist-rick-scott-deadlocked-40-39.html

I'll be voting for Wyllie because otherwise I would be writing in Jimbo Fisher or Mickie Mouse. Neither corrupt Republican governor has given me a reason to vote for them.

[fsquid]

sad, the two main stream candidates are absolute horseshit.

[coredumped]

sad, the two main stream candidates are absolute horseshit.

Agreed, it's just like a presidential election!

I'll be "throwing my vote away" since the lesser of 2 evils is still evil I guess if you're happy w/the way things are going or have been, go for 1 of the big 2.

[urbanlibertarian]

Voting for Wyllie is like 2 votes in 1.  You're voting AGAINST both Scott AND Crist.  BONUS!

[finehoe]

Voting for Wyllie is like 2 votes in 1.  You're voting AGAINST both Scott AND Crist.  BONUS!

So true.  And so sad for what it says about the state of our democracy.

[Traveller]

sad, the two main stream candidates are absolute horseshit.

Agreed, it's just like a presidential election!

[urbanlibertarian]

Two parties aren't enough.

[spuwho]

WOKV is reporting that Wyllie votes hurt Scott more than Crist. They should still let the guy speak however.

[FSBA]

WOKV is reporting that Wyllie votes hurt Scott more than Crist. They should still let the guy speak however.

A conservative news station beating the dead horse that Libertarians "steal" votes from Republican candidates? No way.

Nevermind that, just like with Robert Sarvis in Virginia, Wyllie's biggest block of support is coming from independents who would otherwise have just stayed home.

[coredumped]

If anyone is interested more in Wyllie he'll be on "This Week in Jacksonville" on Ch4 this Sunday, 9am:
https://www.facebook.com/events/810218569020833/?ref=22

[fsquid]

Two parties aren't enough.

I still favor the UK's style of government.  Dissolve the government and vote in 30 days

[FSBA]

http://www.news4jax.com/news/this-week-in-jacksonville-101214/29077110

[VanDeusen]

I think the clear winner of tonight's debate is Wyllie. Crist and Scott are both terrible at debating and terrible candidates in general.

[tufsu1]

except that Wyllie's poll numbers have been dropping like a rock....while he was once getting as much as 15%, he's now hovering around 6%