NADER BARRED FROM VIEWING DEBATE BY DEBATE COMMISSION AND POLICE BOSTON, MASS. -- In a move Ralph Nader called "the beginning of the end of the Commission on Presidential Debates," the debate commission, along with three uniformed police, refused to admit Nader to the presidential

debate viewing auditorium Tuesday night, even though Nader had a ticket to the event.

Nader was given the ticket to the Lipke Auditorium by a Northeastern student. As soon as Nader got off the bus

enroute to the auditorium, he was met by a representative of the debate commission and three police officers.

The debate commission representative told Nader he had been instructed by the Commission on Presidential Debates to tell Nader he was not invited onto the premises even with a ticket.

"Imagine that, a private company -- controlled by the two major parties and funded by beer, tobacco, auto and other corporations -- misused police power to exclude me from the premises, even though I had a ticket to enter issued by the debate commission themselves," Nader said. The CPD representative refused to provide his name or a reason for

excluding Nader from the debate auditorium.

"On top of many other serious blunders, mistakes and demonstrations of arrogance generated by this corrupt debate commission, which is controlled by Al Gore and George W. Bush, this unlawful exclusion will

be the beginning of the end of the debate commission monopoly that is obstructing millions of Americans from access to the presidential candidates in a multi-candidate debate forum," Nader said. "I was excluded on political grounds and no other considerations were communicated."

"In future elections, this country will be rid of the Commission on Presidential Debates once and for all," Nader said.

Nader received the ticket from Northeastern student Tod Tavares, 21, who got the ticket from his roommate. Tavares told the Associated Press that giving the ticket to Nader was "a small sacrifice for the good of the nation."

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Stacy Malkan

Assistant Press Secretary

Nader 2000 Campaign

202.265.4000 ext. 42

202.265.0183 (fax)

www.votenader.org

Paid for by the Nader 2000 General Committee, Inc.

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