IVN.us to Host First Online Presidential Debate
By Matt Metzner on 10/11/2012 with 110 CommentsRead Time: 3 - 4 minutes
IVN.us will be hosting the first ever, online presidential debate. Unlike debates in the past, the candidates and moderators will simultaneously participate from different states. IVN.us will utilize its website and associated social media accounts to publish the event and gather questions for the candidates.
The participants will include Libertarian candidate and former Governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson and Green Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein. Governor Johnson will be joining from Laramie, Wyoming and Dr. Stein will join from Seattle, Washington.
IVN.us is working with Google+ Politics to host the event using a live Google+ Hangout. Each participant will appear using videoconference technology and respond to questions submitted online and from one another.
RSVP to the First Online Presidential Debate on Google+
Thursday, October 18, 2012
4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern
The online presidential debate will focus on five key topics including:
1. Tax and Economic Policy,
2. Energy,
3. Housing and Financial Regulation,
4. Foreign Policy, and
5. One topic selected based upon online user response.
IVN.us will be looking to independent-minded voters across the country to participate by submitting their questions for the candidates within each topic. Each topic will include two questions submitted using the hashtag #indyvote on Google+ and Twitter, responding to calls for questions on the ‘Independent Voter’ Facebook Page, or posting on this article.
The debate can be viewed live on October 18, 2012 beginning at 4pm Pacific on IVN.us, or on IVN.us’ Google+ and YouTube page. The event will be recorded and can be viewed at either location following the debate.
We will be tweet chatting and participating on Google+ during the debate. Follow the hashtag #indyvote on Twitter and Google+ during the debate to join the conversation, respond to the candidates, and let them know how they are doing in answering your questions.
Watch the First Ever Online Debate: Gary Johnson and Jill Stein
Leave Your Comment →
110 Comments
Blake Bunch
10.11.2012
@blakebunch
This is going to be amazing – very revolutionary idea.
Lucas Eaves
10.11.2012
@lucaseaves
Amazing. Very exited about it.
Michael Higham
10.11.2012
@michaelhigham
Finally, we will hear independent voices and alternative solutions for the presidential race. There will be so much that voters can learn from this, whether we are affiliated with a party or not. Even if we’ve made our minds on who to vote for, it never hurts know what the others are saying.
Blaz Gutierrez
10.11.2012
@blazgutierrez
I hope someone from the Commission on Presidential Debates tunes in to see what a real debate looks like!
William Boardman
10.11.2012
@williamboardman
DemocracyNOW — October 3 –presidential debate —
included Jill Stein and Rocky Anderson.
Gary Johnson was unavailable.
Now THAT’s a first!
Jenn Dodd
10.11.2012
@Jenn Dodd
PST?
Alex Gauthier
10.11.2012
@alexg
can’t wait
doug
10.12.2012
Now we’re talking! Looking forward to a NO – BS experience that will SHAME the “Official” debates put on by Orwellian system. Hope this goes ultra-viral!!!!!
Lori Bruffy
10.12.2012
I’m confused…Will Johnson and Stein be part of the debate or ask questions?
Duncan Webb
10.12.2012
Is it going to be just those two candidates?
Dan Stenberg Robles
10.12.2012
Bla Bla Bla
JK Spaeth
10.12.2012
Any specific reason you aren’t including Rocky Anderson, TJ O’Hara, Virgil Goode, Andre Barnett,
Tom Hoefling, Stewart Alexander and others?
Sana Marri
10.12.2012
dear which time u will be online ……?
Benjamin Foster
10.12.2012
@befoster87
This is fantastic. Great exposure for IVN and a more fair, objective, and inclusive approach to politics.
Gabriel Robles-Velarde
10.12.2012
this only assures that the bumble boys will win!! can this idea!!
Hallie Pena
10.14.2012
WHEN? !!!
Independent Voter
10.14.2012
Hallie Pena October 18th @ 4pm PST / 7pm EST
Scardog Bones
10.14.2012
why not others like good and hoefling? why have only the more liberal 3rd party candidates represented? why not america’s party tom hoefling and the constititon party vigil good?
Judy Frankel
10.14.2012
If you want good questions for your debate, check out: http://www.youtube.com/user/Writeindependent/videos?flow=grid&view=0
It’s about time we had some real questions with real, unscripted answers to our problems. I’m excited about your debates and welcome the refreshingly different views from the same ‘ol same ‘ol that we hear ad nauseum from the two parties who are literally ripping this country apart. We must work together or we will no longer be one cohesive country.
Stefanie Di Croce
10.15.2012
@Stefanie Di Croce
Excited for this! (Although, as an expat…11pm — oy! I hope there will be a transcript, if not a video, available in the following days) I don’t know if this is the right place to submit questions, but here’s hoping:
The Works Project Administration created almost 8 million jobs between 1935 and 1943 by putting those unemployed by the economic disaster of the Great Depression to work on public works projects. The aim was to provide welfare relief by employing those hardest hit by the Great Depression, including many minorities and women, while investing their working efforts into the betterment of public infrastructure and cultural endeavors. Some of the pillars of mid-century American culture were supported and allowed the chance to develop their talents by the WPA including Ralph Ellison, John Steinbeck, Jackson Pollack, Mark Rothko, etc.
What are your views on the WPA and do you think that a program of that sort would be viable in this current economic crisis? Could a modern program modeled after the WPA work towards revitalizing the economy as it helped to do so during the Great Depression?
Aaron MacGuffie
10.15.2012
I LIKE THIS! but a moderator would be nice too.
Nancy Sykes Blaetz
10.15.2012
What about other independent candidates like TJ O’Hara? http://www.tjohara.com
Curtis Bosley
10.16.2012
:(
Wendy Kenin
10.16.2012
I went to rsvp at google+ by clicking your link, but the “On Air” red button said: Only invited guests can reply, comment, and add photos. So I shared the google+ link but this is probably why there are only 28 people signed up. Thanks for hosting this! Great social media innovation to exercise democracy!
Nick
10.16.2012
You say the debate starts at 4pm, but you don’t say which time zone that represents.
Eric
10.16.2012
Green and Libertarian’s get arrested outside debate hall, developing story.
Indy
10.16.2012
@ivnus
can’t wait to see watch this online!
William Kelleher
10.17.2012
@William Kelleher
The last presidential commission on Internet voting was called by Bill Clinton in 1999. A lot has changed in this technology since then. If elected president, would you call for a new commission to investigate whether or not Internet voting can securely enhance the democratic process in the USA?
Dr. William J. Kelleher
10.17.2012
@DrWJK
The last presidential commission on Internet voting was called by Bill Clinton in 1999. A lot has changed in this technology since then. If elected president, would you call for a new commission to investigate whether or not Internet voting can securely enhance the democratic process in the USA?
Jon
10.17.2012
Talk about the rising prison population
kelsa adams
10.17.2012
This election is between Obama and Romney! Get it? JEESH!
Jason Lambert
10.17.2012
Yes.
Aaron Camp
10.17.2012
YES!
Bill Wolf
10.17.2012
Hell yes.
Bill Grindle
10.17.2012
Oui,Si,Dui,CorrectOMundo
Cindy Lohiser
10.17.2012
No. They can’t possibly win so why mess up the election so that Obama could possibly win. I suppose all you Gary J. supporters will be smoking some doobies during the debate.
Tyler Hanke
10.17.2012
maybe if we vote in a different direction the republican party will start to stand up to the radical socially conservative and stand up for the socially moderate, fiscally conservative.
Shannon Drinkwine Covel
10.17.2012
Yeah Cindy because we are all a bunch of pot smoking hippies. Are you really that ignorant?
Todd Vickers
10.17.2012
Cindy we have to keep up the fight to be heard so that they CAN possibly win.
Aly Delp
10.17.2012
Yes. I’ve said it time and time again: it isn’t just about this election. It is about getting enough third party votes to challenge the two party system in the future. It is about getting public campaign funding, and generally more coverage. It is about waking people up to how broken our system has become, and how we need to change how we vote to fix it.
Travis Wilson
10.17.2012
Jill stein was arrested trying to enter the debate last night.
Lucas Eaves
10.17.2012
But she was release this morning and is on her way to Seattle.
Erasmus Vladolich
10.17.2012
http://www.democracynow.org/2012/10/17/green_partys_jill_stein_cheri_honkala
Seth A. Yellin
10.17.2012
FINALLY…. thought I hardly care too much anymore..
Peggy Shannon Crawford
10.17.2012
No-No interest at all. If he is concerned about the very serious issues in this country, he would show support for the Republican nominee. Now is NOT the time to disrupt the electoral vote.!
Lavada K. Parr-Purbaugh
10.17.2012
Only to hear Virgil Goode as I do not like Johnson or Stein at all!!! Funny this site never mentions him as a third choice but will promote the two who want to sell this country out to illegals. And Stein is a true quack in my book!!
Kyle Cotton
10.17.2012
@Kyle Cotton
thats because illegal imigration and other issues that are Virgil Goode’s main talking points aren’t our nations top priority.
Lavada K. Parr-Purbaugh
10.17.2012
This election should not be about getting a third party elected. That is as bad as the other two parties! It is about the issues and who best would get us out of the debt we are in, who will protect this country and it’s citizens and who will bring jobs etc… Sad when I read from people that it is about getting a third party elected. If your only voting for that reason, that is a very sad reason and you are no different than the other two parties!!!
Kyle Cotton
10.17.2012
@Kyle Cotton
This question is for Gary Johnson. given your tax proposal of a 23% federal consumption tax and how much we are a consumer based society with such a surplus and continuous stream of income for the federal government would it be necessary to cut Medicare and Medicaid in half like you purpose given this surplus?
Dana
10.18.2012
My question for the candidates is: What, if anything, do you plan to do to repeal DOMA and ensure equal marriage rights for ALL citizens, regardless of gender identity and/or orientation?
John Berry
10.18.2012
I would gladly vote for Gov. Johnson, but I honestly see no way he could win. do really think we need a third and fourth party that can do what it takes to get a real campaign on and earn a real vote.
Till that time however…
Be blessed. John
Thomas Christopher Hoag
10.18.2012
Virgil is unelectable.
Thomas Christopher Hoag
10.18.2012
It’s not up to the President to bring jobs but the businesses present in this country and ourselves.
Johnny Ritchie
10.18.2012
Why is it that some Republicans think losing 800,000 jobs per month is better than jobs positive for 31 months? Why is it that some Republicans think a Stock Market crash is better than all time highs in the Stock Market? Why is it that some Republicans thinks housing construction and equity at 4 years high is worse than forclusures and equity fallouts? Why is it that Osama and Gaddaffi being dead is bad for some Republicans? Just cannot figure why.
Megan Speer Cruser
10.18.2012
@Megan Speer Cruser
I am very impressed with Dr. Stein’s stand on the issues so far and she has definitely won my vote. I do however have a couple of questions. First, many of the other candidates have said that they believe China is an economic or military threat to the US, how do you feel concerning this issue? Also do you believe the government should continue to fund Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? What is your stance on labor unions and their impact on the US? And finally, do you believe an increase in domestic oil drilling will lower the rising gas prices?
Ken Lawson
10.18.2012
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=476060702434859&set=a.469106556463607.107819.460757873965142&type=1&theater
Adam Zed Dehart
10.18.2012
@Adam Zed Dehart
Live video conferencing and broadband streaming have been around for years, and we’re just now getting around to having political debates without spending thousands of dollars to get several planes full of people to the same city. I guess the major parties really dgaf at all about energy independence, or they’d stop using so much fuel to stay in office.
Melissa
10.18.2012
This is so true. I thought of this when Al Gore went to my hometown and stopped rush hour traffic for two hours while his FLEET of limousines and SUVs whizzed into downtown from the airport. Then gave a speech about how we need to be more conscious of greenhouse gases and take steps to curb global warming. *facepalms*
Wes Pedigo
10.18.2012
This is great! But at the same time sad. These 2 should of been included in all debates!!! Sad that most of the country don’t even realize that there are more than 2 peps running for president.
Lindsey Bruce
10.18.2012
I’m all about supporting a third party NEXT election. My goal now is to make sure Obama doesn’t serve a second term. Obamacare alone is a reason to stand behind Romney. Obama is dangerous for America. No matter how much you dislike Romney, he will not do the damage Obama will. Now is not the time to be selfish. This election is different than any other. We need to pull together behind Romney for the sake of our children and America’s future. If that socialist is re-elected, all of the freedoms our troops fought and died for will be lost. The government will have more control than ever. Please do the right thing and vote for Romney. He is the ONLY chance we have to get America strong again!
Megan Speer Cruser
10.18.2012
@Megan Speer Cruser
I could not disagree with you more. It sounds like you are pushing the Romney campaign because he is the less of two evils. This type of thinking will never introduce a new perspective in the White House and we are in need desperately. Democrats and Republicans have got us into this mess and now is the time for a new approach. You may feel like you are only one person and your vote for an independent party will not make that much of a difference, but for every one individual who decides to stand up for a change will keep us moving forward. Do not back out of your beliefs out of fear. In order to walk a mile we must take into consideration every step, this means in order to cause change and get where we need to be every single person needs to make a step forward.
Tom Terrell
10.18.2012
It’s ALWAYS next election for the “well-intentioned” (as they see it). Unfortunately for our democracy, too many people are fooled into thinking that way. It’s the whole reason our one-party-with-two-faces persists.
Mike Watrous
10.18.2012
: If you are thinking of voting for Obama, I encourage you to cast your vote for Gary Johnson. ;)
Raymond Davis
10.18.2012
yes and I will share it too.
Lana Gail Osborne Dearing
10.18.2012
Absolutely
Aaron MacGuffie
10.18.2012
YYYEEEEEEEEESSS
Aaron MacGuffie
10.18.2012
obligatory link of joy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YMPAH67f4o
Amanda Billings
10.18.2012
Most definitely!
Jeremy Arner
10.18.2012
the only debate really worth watching
Robert NewBern Jorgensen
10.18.2012
http://Www.robforpresident.us
Dan Rak
10.18.2012
@danylostefan
Question for the debate: Do you as a candidate support or oppose the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (“NPVIC”)? For those who do not know, the NPVIC has been enacted into law in 8 states and DC, – which represent a total of 132 Electoral Votes. If/When enough states join who together have a total of 270 Electoral Votes (magic number) the compact goes into “effect”. The effect being that regardless of how the majority of the people in the state voted, the state’s electoral votes will be awarded to the candidate who won the national popular vote.
Follow up – Will this make it harder for third party candidates to compete?
Wayne Rogers
10.18.2012
4pm? I’ll still be at work.
Lana Gail Osborne Dearing
10.18.2012
4pm pacific time, 5:00 central, 6:00 mountain, and 7:00eastern time
Roy Dickinson
10.18.2012
if you’re thinking of voting for Romney vote Johnson, best governor NM has ever had !
Andrea Michelle Lollar
10.18.2012
The last time I tried to watch Gary on google+ the room was full I had to wait and caught the repost on youtube. The Johnson and Stein followers already know their stand on the issues the problem is getting main stream media to air it on TV and local news stations. So the rest of the public can get on board.
Andrea Michelle Lollar
10.18.2012
What can we do to help. Would a copy with a press release to local news stations ever see the light of day?
Tony Thigpen
10.18.2012
Obama/Romney for the stupid!
Roy Dickinson
10.18.2012
voting for either of the 2partocracy is a vote for the oligarchy the dellusion of a “strong America” means a vote for the continuing DC cesspool of cronyism, corporate greed and corruption, voting 3rd party is a vote for sanity !
Stan Wald
10.18.2012
Watch History Being Made? The same kind of history Obama made when millions of dumbed-down voters put the SOB into office?
Karen Seddon
10.18.2012
I am all for it.
Jennifer Werther
10.18.2012
@Jennifer Werther
I entered a comment and it didn’t show up. Gary Johnson’s twitter feed on this page is not moving.
Independent Voter
10.18.2012
Andrea Michelle Lollar We’ve been sending a press release to local news stations in Laramie, Wyoming and Seattle, Washington and where the debate will be moderated San Diego, California. Please contact us at [email protected] to see how you can help!
Jonathan Solarte
10.18.2012
I have a question for Gary Johnson on which I hope Jill Stein could comment as well. It would probably best fall under Tax and Economic Policy. Governor Johnson, how do you reconcile your socially liberal stances with your fiscally conservative views? In other words, how do you justify fiscally conservative policies like cutting federal spending for crucial government programs that benefit America’s poor? Doesn’t the fiscal side of your platform undermine the social side? Dr. Stein, do you believe that socially liberal and fiscally conservative views are compatible?
Peter
10.18.2012
How in the world do I RSVP? I signed up for Google+ but still cannot watch the debate.
Lisa Eiff
10.18.2012
@Lisa Eiff
This is the only debate worth my time.
Lex_Rex
10.18.2012
@Lex_Rex
It should be pointed out that there is no constitutional authority to prosecute anyone for financial fraud. Governmental solutions to most of these problems would require constitutional amendments, but most of them are not solvable by government no matter what authority might be provided. We need to recognize our limitations.
Richard May
10.18.2012
awesome. just commenting to make sure I get your feed in my timeline
Christian Woehrle
10.18.2012
cool more voices then enldess war R or O and neither would take wording out of ndaa and neither care about drones in usa come faa rollout.. more voices better nation..
Andrew Bäck
10.18.2012
I have a question for Jill Stein. Earlier this month you called for Israel to take immediate action to comply with international human rights law and stated that upholding international law should be a condition for U.S. aid. Obviously the president of the United States has the power to tell Israel that they have to stop building settlements in the Palestinian occupied territories. Will you continue to be a vocal critic of Israel’s human rights abuses or is such honesty politically infeasible for the Executive Office?
Richard Van Hyning
10.18.2012
My question is for Gary Johnson. With regard to a non-interventionist policy, how do you believe the United States should proceed in its relationship with Israel? Would you agree with the statement that our relationship with Israel is an “entangling alliance” that our Founding Fathers warned us about? Thank you!
#indyvote
Carl Mealie
10.18.2012
My question is for Dr. Stein. You seem to be an honestly compassionate person and without question, we need more of that in American politics. As president, you would be commander-in-chief of the military and could need, given the failure of all other approaches, to deploy the military in a way that causes the death of many. Can you do this?
Carl Mealie
10.18.2012
For Gary Johnson, what is your position on Free Trade Agreements and what, if anything, should be done with the agreements we are currently a part of?
William Waugh
10.18.2012
Mr. Johnson and Dr. Stein, if elected, will you order the DOJ to investigate the allegations of torture by former US officials and issue indictments if the evidence so warrants?
glogmaponnept
11.26.2012
[IMG]http://images.vfl.ru/ii/1353971914/cccd901a/1278392_m.jpg[/IMG]
Help support newborn Autumn through her rare heart disease.
More…http://helpplatform.chipin.com/autumns-battle
God Bless,
Alan, Lindsay, Alexis, Aiden, and Autumn Markos
Chad Peace
10.11.2012
@Chad_Peace
Could set a precedent … debates could be hosted locally without all the cost of organizing… people can watch and participate from home, office, etc… don’t even need cable; just find an internet cafe :) Too bad the CDC won’t let other voices complete in the main debates, hopefully this will draw attention of people who are sick of the chest pounding from “both sides” and shallow discussions that follow the “Quick Zingers”.
William Boardman
10.11.2012
@williamboardman
That would assume that anyone on the Commission cares.
They have what they want now, a corporate-funded duopoly.
Matt Metzner
10.11.2012
@mmetzner
Yes 4pm Pacific.
doug
10.12.2012
Now I can be a lobbyist ;-) – I lobby for the extra category to be how our constitution is being shredded, privacy rights stomped on, NDAA Guantanamo prisons for all and “legal” assassinations are all in effect NOW! How will candidates get rid of these measures and cut off their future development in the future?
End of lobbying ;-)
Chad Peace
10.12.2012
@Chad_Peace
4pm
William Boardman
10.12.2012
@williamboardman
In a manichaean bubble world,
where there are only independents and others,
it’s hard not to think dualistically.
Chad Peace
10.12.2012
@Chad_Peace
Logistically, using technology for the first time ever becomes exponentially more difficult for each candidate added. As a practical matter, a line has to be drawn somewhere because at some point nobody gets a chance to speak due to the reality of time. As a result, the criteria selected was “candidates with theoretically enough ballot access to win the presidency.” Completely objective criteria.
IVN has covered every single candidate you have listed. IVN has even included interviews and articles with those candidates in its newsletters and will continue to keep the platform open to all voices and invite the candidates can participate.
As a theoretical matter, should the technology become available and familiar to IVN which allows for all the candidates mentioned to participate constructively and by the etiquette, we could invite all the candidates to participate.
Chad Peace
10.12.2012
@Chad_Peace
They will be asked questions that are taken from various social media sources related to the topics listed in the post.
Calvin Von Gurnov II
10.13.2012
Yes I heard the two will be live taking questions. have a great day!
William Boardman
10.12.2012
Ballot access may be an objective criterion,
but it also serves to reinforce the status quo.
It’s roughly equivalent to a means test,
who has the biggest bank accounts.
William Boardman
10.12.2012
More troubling is that ballot access
reflects the antithesis of independence.
Much harder, of course, to invite candidates
based on criteria of substance,
but at least it would involve some independent thinking
and not just be a different cookie cutter.
Chad Peace
10.12.2012
@Chad_Peace
Any suggestions?
William Boardman
10.13.2012
@williamboardman
Replying to the NEXT posted question,
that has no REPLY button:
Rocky Anderson is the obvious omission of substance.
William Boardman
10.13.2012
@williamboardman
OK, so the missing REPLY button doesn’t matter.
Who knew?
Maybe a debate organized around substance,
instead of candidates who have no chance,
would be more useful —
focussing on important issues not being addressed,
such as climate change, war with Iran, etc.
Chad Peace
10.12.2012
@Chad_Peace
Johnson was still trying to get into the Obama/Romney debates
William Boardman
10.13.2012
@williamboardman
But so what?
Surely DemocracyNOW would be flexible?
Even at the last minute.
Sounds more like an excuse than a reason.