Updated: Patriots Call to Action, NBC Blocks Snitker From Debate, Campaign To Launch Counterattack

ALEX SNITKER SEPTEMBER MEET THE PRESS COMMERCIAL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BD1Za1a9TE

Snitker Strikes Back Against NBC Debate Snub

TAMPA – Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Alex Snitker did not make the cut to be included in the nationally-televised debate scheduled this Sunday on NBC’s Meet The Press. According to NBC, Snitker did not meet their criteria for inclusion in the debate for Florida’s Senate seat, however they did not elaborate on what the exact criteria are.

Snitker, who has earned a reputation as the feisty, grassroots underdog in this race, did not take NBC’s snub lying down. Within hours of getting word that he would be excluded, the former U.S. Marine launched a fund raising drive for the purpose of buying television ad slots during Meet The Press in Florida television markets.

According to Adrian Wyllie, the campaign media director, the ad will run in several Florida markets during the Sunday show, and will claim that the debate is a “travesty of the democratic process.” Though the ad has been produced and the stations have been paid for the air time, the campaign has not yet received confirmation from the affiliates that it will air.

Snitker supporters are also planning protests outside of NBC affiliate stations in several cities across the state on Sunday. Volunteer coordinator Bev Baker said, “Even people who would not normally get involved have contacted us wanting to do something about this. They see it as an assault on free speech by the media, of all people.”

In addition, Snitker’s legal councel is planning to file an emergency motion for temporary injunction against Meet The Press in a last-ditch effort to be included in the debate. Should the injunction be granted by a judge, the debate may not air at all. Wyllie noted that further legal action may be taken if the NBC affiliates reject the TV ads.

Ilana Drimmer, the booker for Meet The Press, has said that her email inbox has been flooded with messages from Snitker supporters requesting that he be included in the debate. However, thus far, NBC has held their ground and has limited to the debate to Marco Rubio (R), Kendrick Meek (D) and Charlie Crist (NPA). Crist, however, has decided to decline the invitation.

“We are just looking for a level playing field and to have the same opportunity as the other candidates to debate this issues,” said Snitker

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from: Adrian Wyllie
Media Director, Snitker for Senate 2010

NBC Blocks Snitker From Debate, Campaign To Launch Counterattack

Unfortunately, NBC has given us their final answer and they refuse to include Alex in the September 5th debate on Meet The Press. Even though you sent hundreds of emails and made hundreds of phone calls, your voices have been ignored.

Therefore, we have come up with a plan to fight the establishment media and the political class. We will be producing a 30 second TV ad that will run during the Meet The Press debate in every Florida market. The ad will point out what a miscarriage of the democratic process this debate is, and will call out NBC for excluding Snitker.

TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, WE NEED $5,000 IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS. We need you to donate today. Please, donate as much as you can right now. We urgently need you to send as much as you can afford, whether that is $20 or $2000. This is a critical juncture, and if we let this three-way debate continue unchallenged, the media will continue to ignore us. Click here for our secure donation page: https://secure.yourpatriot.com/ou/alex/650/donate.aspx.

If NBC does have a last minute change of heart, and includes Alex in the debate, we will still run the advertisement using a standard campaign ad which we will have on stand-by. Your calls and emails might still make a difference, so please call or write to NBC today. An overwhelming response may still change their mind. Please forward this message to as many people as possible.

NBC’s Meet The Press Debate
Sunday, September 5 in Washington DC
Moderated by David Gregory
Call: 202-885-4000
Ask for Betsy Fischer, Executive Producer and email her at betsy.fischer@nbc.com
Call back and ask for Rebecca Samuels, Producer
Call a third time and ask for Chris Donovan, Producer
Email the show’s booker, Ilana Drimmer at ilana.drimmer@nbcuni.com
Finally, visit http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6872152/ns/meet_the_press-more and leave comments.

Please, be polite but firm. Insist that they include Alex Snitker in the September 5th debate on Meet the Press.