The second gubernatorial debate involving the four front-running candidates will be held tonight at Vilas Hall.
Republican Gov. Scott McCallum and Democratic state Attorney General Jim Doyle will be joined by Ed Thompson of the Libertarian party and Jim Young of the Green Party. The \We the People"" debate will be televised live by Wisconsin Public Television at 7 p.m.
In the past few months, these political contests had often been reserved strictly for the two major parties.
The candidates were also involved in a previous debate in La Crosse, hosted by the Western Wisconsin Press Club, but had not been invited to participate in many of the media-covered discussions preceding that event. Both third party camps expressed enthusiasm about their involvement.
""I'm really looking forward to this one,"" Thompson said.
Eric Neiswender, spokesperson for Young, said. ""Credit needs to go to the Western Wisconsin Press Club and Wisconsin Public Television for having the good judgement to allow the third party candidates in the debates. Because it's really a service to the voters.""
However, both criticized their exclusion from previous debates.
""I think it's just another [example] of the corruption going on against [adding] another voice,"" Thompson said.
Neiswender said he agreed with the exclusion.
""The rules are made by Democrats and Republicans in most cases, so the deck is stacked against us, and it's something that needs to be addressed,"" he said.
This debate will give the two independents some exposure, providing a share of the gubernatorial spotlight, at least for one day, according to Neiswender.
""It gets [Young's] name and face out there to the many people who are still relatively unaware of the third party candidates,"" he said.
""After the last debate, we jumped [considerably] in the polls,"" he said.
UW-Madison political science Professor Dennis Dresang said he was not convinced the third party representation would have an effect.
""At this point most of the people who are going to vote have pretty much made up their minds,"" he said.
While neither candidate is very likely to pull off an upset, their efforts do provide hope for future independents, according to Dresang.
""I think that [the third party inclusion] will help to make this a regular part of the election and campaign process, particularly if a third party candidate has any kind of respectable showing,"" Dresang said.
