Those who have witnessed any one of the 6 U.S. Senate debates this campaign season, find it unsurprising that in the PBS debate, Logan was a refreshing deviation from big money politics and a far cry from the back and forth bickering of the major party candidates. "Having been a participant in the debate, I can tell you that Willie Logan was impressive. And if you had to ask me who won the debate, I would say Willie Logan...He was eloquent. He was funny. He was straight to the point. He was candid," stated PBS Debate Panelist Helen Ferre. Helen Ferre is also the Opinion Page Editor of Diario Las Americas and the host of WPBT Channel 2's news program, "Issues."

Representative Logan’s invitation to participate in the Sunshine Network, PBS, and NBC televised debates proves that African American candidates for statewide office have come a long way. However, other facts suggest that there is still far to go. 

At least one network refuses to invite Representative Logan or any other non-major party candidate to its debate. The Florida News Network, made up of several ABC and CBS partner stations, have decided to keep the door closed to the average citizen by catering to the major political parties, their special interests and the corporate elite. As a private organization, the Network is not accountable to the public but holds an incredible amount of influence over public elections.

"This is exactly the reason many citizens decide to stay home on Election Day." Logan said. "My candidacy is for the millions of Floridians who are so disgusted with politics today that they choose to stay home and give up. The Florida News Network will not hinder this effort.  We will continue to challenge the media conglomerates and the campaign system that strives to limit the discussion of issues to Republicans, Democrats and their corporate elite friends." 

Logan Campaign Manager Sean Pittman stated that "without Willie Logan in the debate, McCollum and Nelson will simply mimic their party positions and recite practiced sound bites. Logan’s common sense, straight talk and real life perspective on issues will force discussion that would not normally be present."

Several prominent state leaders have voiced concern or have written to encourage the partners that make up the Florida News Network to reconsider their position and include Representative Logan in the October 27^th debate. Worth mentioning are Adora Obi Nweze, President, Florida Chapter of the NAACP, T. Willard Fair, President, Urban League of Greater Miami and Craig Gibbs, President, National Bar Association. They argue that the Florida News Network, as a consortium of media outlets, should be an unbiased, non-partisan group with the singular mission of providing full, fair and accurate information. They believe this exclusion suggests a bias towards the major parties and disregard for independent views that Floridians should refuse to tolerate in news providers.

The decision by the Florida News Network to exclude Willie Logan calls into serious question the Network’s ability to provide the neutral forum necessary to ensure a fair debate, particularly in light of Logan’s invitation and performance in other televised debates. During those debates, the audiences witnessed stark differences and, for the first time in Florida history, a real challenge to the two party system. As Logan says, "My opponents both engage in cash register politics, collecting tens of millions of dollars from the corporate elite and special interests to buy what should not be for sale, a seat in our U.S. Senate. I will work hard to earn this seat and then, when elected, be beholden only to the people of Florida, not to the corporate elite."

Willie Logan is running independent of the two major parties and will be on the general election ballot going head on against McCollum and Nelson. Readers should tune in to the upcoming NBC debate featuring Logan, and witness history in the making. The NBC debate will be broadcast live on Monday, October 23, 2000 at 7:00pm on all NBC Stations. Political Celebrity Tim Russert of "Meet the Press" will moderate the debate.

For readers who are interested in weighing in to make sure that Rep. Logan is included in the Florida News Network debate, please email or call Florida News Network stations.