Peter Restrepo, I thank you for covering the independent candidate in your piece ("Clark earns 2 percent," Nov. 3). May I suggest, however, that you do not frame your perspective in the same manner as the lame-stream media? You see, corporate media gets a huge chunk of funding from the titanic parties and hence "frame" them as the only game in town. Using words liked "fails" in the piece's headline is exactly what they want The Cavalier Daily to print.
An independent perspective sees this campaign as a win. We win by running against the titanic machines. We win by challenging the status quo. We win by rejecting and highlighting the arrogance that titanic party candidates get away with. In this instance, it was not just the U.Va. debate that the oil party challenger refused to debate. It was every debate. Any opportunity to debate. That is a slap in the face of our electoral system. But of course, they have their marching orders. I, too, attended Gingrich's campaign school that demanded "never give the independents any opening, any opportunity to participate."
So as long as this is their method of operation, it is a challenge to attract brave souls like Jeff Clark to get on the ballot and challenge the system. This was repeated throughout the country. Here in Virginia, the incumbents in several other districts refused to debate the independent. In the Seventh Congressional District, the powerful House minority whip refused to debate anyone - not even his titanic party challenger.
So we have serious flaws in our electoral system that Clark and others continue to expose. If the so-called "Tea Party movement" is good for anything, it is that they will be watching. They will still fall for the titanic party shenanigans, but if just a few citizens step forward and challenge them, then victory has been accomplished. In all, this was a good year. Indies and third party candidates were on the ballot in 10 of 11 congressional districts in Virginia. Over 40,000 votes were cast for these candidates that had at least two titanic party choices. So you see our best showing yet will only get better.
One last thing. At your U.Va. debate, several students expressed an interest in running for office. I wish these young people well and appreciate U.Va's Student Council for providing this excellent opportunity.
Joseph Oddo
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