It's outrageous that the bipartisan CPD has locked out qualified third-party candidates from the presidential debates.

It's outrageous that the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates has locked out qualified third-party candidates from the presidential debates this fall. The thirst among American voters for new ideas and new leadership has never been greater.

With my vice presidential running mate Nat Goldhaber, I am building a powerful national coalition of independent, reform-minded political parties and voters. In recent weeks, I have received the endorsement of Ross Perot; Russ Verney, founding chair of the Reform Party; Jim Mangia, founding national secretary of the Reform Party; and nine members of the Executive Committee of the original Reform Party.

The Independence Party of New York, the third largest party in New York, recently voted overwhelmingly to nominate the Hagelin/Goldhaber ticket atop its party ticket, beating out Ralph Nader by a margin of 10 to 1. And Doug Friedline, former campaign manager of Jesse Ventura's winning gubernatorial race, is now campaign manager for the Hagelin-Goldhaber ticket.

As a scientist, I believe that government should be about what works -- not what is bought and paid for by special interests. Nat Goldhaber and I will promote scientifically proven, forward-looking, sustainable solutions to America's problems -- solutions that a vast majority of voters support. With this powerful new coalition of independent political leaders, we can break the two-party stranglehold, take back our stolen democracy, and give millions of people a reason to vote in November. Please join us!