Third-party hopefuls sue for inclusion

WASHINGTON -- Several former third-party presidential candidates filed a lawsuit yesterday to block the Commission on Presidential Debates from sponsoring future debates, asserting the organization is biased toward the Democratic and Republican parties.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court, says the debate commission is a partisan organization that violates federal election law by letting only Democratic and Republican candidates participate in the debates it organizes.

Those filing the lawsuit include consumer advocate Ralph Nader, the Green Party's presidential nominee in 2000 and a possible independent candidate this year; John Hagelin and Patrick Buchanan, former Reform Party candidates; and Howard Phillips, a former Constitution Party candidate.

The lawsuit asks the court to force the Federal Election Commission to stop the debate commission from sponsoring four debates scheduled to start Sept. 30. The third-party candidates first sought relief from the FEC last June, but complain that the agency has failed to take action.

more: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/02/12/third_party_hopefuls_sue_for_inclusion/