Montgomery County:  U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Zeese commented on the debate between his opponents on Meet the Press saying: “Meet the Press is the ultimate in corporate media, there are owned by the defense contractor General Electric, so they only allowed the two corporate candidates to appear on their network. The result – the voters were denied an opportunity to hear real answers to the problems they face.”

"The show did not even accurately present the ballot in Maryland – describing the debate as between the two candidates – when in fact there are three -- and failed to deal with key issues of concern to Maryland voters, health care for all, free college education, ending income tax on working Americans, and  fair wages for American workers.  The hour was spent on narrow issues – abortion and embryonic stem cell research -- and avoided the central issue of our day corporate control of government that puts the interests of big business before the needs of Americans.” said Zeese.

Advertisements from Northrup Grumman and Chevron led into the corporate media’s network’s debate by the two corporate candidates in Maryland.  The first question on Iraq showed two muddled and confused candidates – neither really willing to take a clear position.  Steele waffled between supporting the president, and withdrawing if Iraq does not stand up within six months.  Cardin claimed consistent opposition to the war despite votes in favor of staying the course.  He claimed to oppose a timetable and would not vote to stop funding – but claimed to oppose the war.  “Muddled thinking is a way to deceive the voters.  We need clear leadership on Iraq – end the occupation, withdraw U.S. troops and corporations, help fund reconstruction and underwrite a peace keeping force made up of troops from countries outside the U.S.”

“If people want to understand why I was not included just look at who advertises on Meet the Press – the defense industry, oil industry, financial services, investment companies, insurance companies – I challenge how all those industries dominate politics in America and have created a Big Business government that ignores the people.  Of course, they will not allow my voice to be heard.  Meet the Press is part of the problem voters face in the United States.  It does not allow voters to hear the real issues discussed by candidates who stand with the people,” said Zeese pointing to advertisements by Boeing, VISA, Zurich insurance company, GE, Exxon Mobil, TDA America Trade, Northrup Gumman and Chevron.

The Zeese Campaign had lengthy correspondence with Meet the Press on its participation in the debate. But Betsy Fischer the executive producer, refused to budge, hiding behind the standards created by the two parties to keep debates to only two candidates -- 15% in five polls.  "It was obvious that Meet the Press does not want to allow certain voices to be heard -- voices that challenge the people who own and advertise on their show.  The voters are the losers in a democracy dominated by corporations that advertise on Meet the Press."