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SCETV Releases 2014 Debate Guidelines
S.C. Educational Television (SCETV) is organizing a televised debate among the candidates for the U.S. Senate – prompting the government-run news outlet to publish its criteria for which candidates will (and won’t) be invited to attend its forums this year.
According to the network, “legitimate” candidates must meet four of the following five criteria: 1) Nomination by a party recognized under state law, 2) Publication of at least three position statements on issues, 3) Acceptance of at least $10,000 in campaign contributions (not counting “funding from the candidate’s own resources”), 4) Receipt of media coverage in at least five “bona fide print, online, radio, television, or cable TV news stories” and 5) Receipt of at least 5 percent support in “legitimate, professionally conducted non-partisan public opinion surveys” conducted by an “independent pollster.”
SCETV believes these criteria “will ensure fairness and editorial integrity for any proposed candidates’ debate.”
According to our sources, the network will use the results of an October 1, 2014 Winthrop University survey to determine which candidates meet the five percent threshold.
Using these guidelines, expect independent candidates Thomas Ravenel (U.S. Senate) and Tom Ervin (Governor) to easily qualify for the debates. Libertarian candidates Victor Kocher (U.S. Senate) and Steve French (Governor) could also find their way onstage, too …
