George Phillies, the Libertarian canidate for Senate seat appeared outside the Weld-Kerry Debate at Mechanics Hall last week.
Walter Robinson, the principal sponsor of the debates, invited William Weld, Republican, and John Kerry, Republican, to a series of debates. He neglected to invite other canidates, including Phillies, Susan Gallagher, a Conservative canidate, and R. Stowe, the canidate from the Natural Law Party.
Phillies' campaign staff asked to have him included in the debates, but were turned down, with no reason given. Two years ago they were promised that if they gained major party status, they would be included in the 1996 debates. While they gained major party status, they still were not included in the debates. Joanne Wright, a supporter of Susan Gallagher described similar problems - "Mr. Robinson set benchmarks that we would have to meet to be in the debates. Each time we met them, he raised the goalpost." (Robinson could not be reached for comment)
The reason Phillies made a showing at the debate site was "a way of showing the Libertarian Party's presence and raising public recognition." Phillies purpose in running for Senator is twofold - first, obviously, to be elected. Second, however, was to "broaden public recognition of the Libertarian movement, and raise Libertarian ideas, and to strengthen the Libertarian Party in Massachusetts." There are currently over six thousand registered Libertarians in the state. Phillies has been a supporter of the Libertarian party for over 10 years, and this was his first attempt at a public office.