Let all candidates join debate

How much do you know about the candidates running for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin? Can you name the candidates who are running? Most probably cannot, even though the democratic primary is now just weeks away. One of the ways we can get to know the candidates and their positions on the issues is through debates, where all the candidates get on stage and answer questions about their positions on the important issues. Their answers can reveal how they think, how they are likely to vote on key issues, and how well they fare under the bright lights. Unfortunately, in the upcoming U.S. Senate democratic debate, we will only hear from half of the candidates. Only those who are doing well in polling are invited to participate in the August first debate, while the four lower-tier candidates will stay on the sidelines. They are now suing seeking to be included in the debate. We deserve to hear from all eight candidates, not just those faring well in the polls. Maybe they aren’t polling well because voters don’t know enough about them. Maybe we don’t know enough about them because they don’t have much campaign cash. Allowing them to participate in the debates will help us learn more about them. The party should stop  relying on metrics to determine who gets to take to the debate stage and allow all the candidates to share their views. It is the democratic thing to do.