Why is it that the Independent Party does not participate in these debates?

He is not the Independent Party candidate. He is an independent running for President.

Not included because he did not get the threshold percentage of support to be included (15 or 20% I think).

To see all the third party candidates running this year, visit the sites below.

Because the two major parties control the Federal Elections Commission and they set the rules and that includes barring third party candidates of they chose too.

The last time I saw a third party candidate participate in a debate was when Ross Perot debated with GWH Bush and Bill Clinton.

It would have interesting to have Nader participate. But it's not about to happen.

Unless our party is able to take an active roll in the primaries it's pretty much a closed election, that is the two major parties. In addition, I think most Independents are not sure what the Independent party stands for other than it's not the Democrat, Republican or Libertarian party

Rules say the party must have at least 5% support to be included in the debates. Maybe next election we'll have a choice other than dumb and dumber.

Same old bullcrap... but Nader hasn't raised much of a stink about it this time, because he wants McNapalm to lose.

Because you have as much shot getting elected as Ralph does.

Any of the third candidates I might add. Because they were and are blatantly being ignored by our Media, by the people who put on these debates, and in my opinion it is very sad. ALL CANDIDATES SHOULD BE INVITED TO THESE MOST IMPORTANT DEBATES. Nothing less is acceptable.

Because they will never win. This country is a 2 party system.

In the primaries they had a chance of winning, now they don't.

It is insignificant.