WTTW shows its favoritism

October 27, 2008

To: WTTW Ch. 11

From: Patrick Kelly, Alesch for Congress Campaign Manager

I regularly watch Chicago Tonight, and I have seen a great number of segments where there is a panel of three or more guests to discuss a complex set of issues.

Yet, when it comes to political campaign, it seems that the maximum number of candidates that can fit on your stage is fixed firmly at two. I was extremely disappointed to learn that Steve Alesch, Green Party candidate for 13th Congressional District, was deliberately left out of a recent debate between his two rivals, Scott Harper and Rep. Judy Biggert. There is no good reason to leave out Alesch. He has been running an active campaign for more than 18 months. He has been going door to door, walking in parades, showing up at campaign events, writing press releases, printing signs, buttons and flyers just like the other two. He is well-versed on the issues, and can articulate his platform clearly. He has even participated in other candidate forums, including one recently where all three candidates participated. It's not impossible.

I think WTTW's reason for leaving Alesch out is pretty clear: favoritism. WTTW has shown itself to favor the Republicans and Democrats in this election cycle, despite the fact that there are a number of Green Party candidates on the ballot. Perhaps WTTW buys into the prevailing myth that only Republicans and Democrats are capable of winning elected office, and therefore they are the only ones who should be invited to participate. However, this is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The truth is that Scott Harper doesn't have any greater chance of winning the election than Steve Alesch. Harper is pretty close to Biggert on many issues, and is running a lack-luster campaign, even for suburban Democrats. History is not on his side either. In Illinois' 13th Congressional District, the Democrats have lost a spectacular 57 elections in a row, with their last victory coming in 1892, on the long coattails of Grover Cleveland. Their track-record is not just bad, it's abysmal.

For the Greens, this is the first time we've ever run a congressional campaign in the 13th -- there is no telling what the outcome is, or what effect Alesch will have on the race. Yet when you leave Green candidates out of your forums, you're making a political choice on behalf of your viewers. You're saying "Go with the Republican and Democratic candidates. They're what matters."

I hope you reconsider this practice of favoritism in the future.

Patrick Kelly
Campaign Manager
Alesch for Congress