I first heard of Showtime's "American Candidate" from an email from the peace organization Code Pink, which announced activist's Medea Benjamin's candidacy. When the show came to Charlottesville I received another email, from Holly Hatcher of Planned Parenthood, asking for volunteers for the debate on June 20th and a special issue forum on the next day. (The producers eventually cancelled this forum).

The taping was interesting, although seeing a diverse, eloquent group of candidates was a sharp reminder of the bland, white, male, rhetoric-spouting promise-sprinkling robots which appear on TV every four years. It was all for show (and Showtime!), of course, and the there were a number of people there for the chance to be on TV. The supporters of Bruce Friedrich gave out posters to people saying "You'll have a better chance of being on TV with a poster!" The row seated behind me chanted for Bruce before they ever saw his face or heard his views. Montel Williams, after assuring us that he still had his daily talk-show, seemed only vaguely interested and left a few times during the debate. At the end of the taping, Larry Sabato managed to totally dampen the political excitement and exchange of ideas and opinions by informing all the candidates that, without compromise, none of them could ever be elected. Still, I'm glad I went. Anything to encourage Americans to vote and get involved- anything to end this apathy! Besides, when is the last time you saw a political debate made up if ideas, not sound bites?

The questions covered same-sex marriage, the death penalty, and terrorism. The ensuing debate was energetic and thought-provoking. I do wish that someone from Planned Parenthood could have addressed the candidates. Holly Hatcher's question was chosen, but there was not time during the taping for her to question the candidates. One candidate, Park Gillespie, was able to speak out against "partial birth abortion" unopposed. Lisa Whitter did talk to us after the taping about her work for women's health and choice issues.

The Forum on the Uninsured (which was not part of the "American Candidate" series) was on June 21st, and it was as interesting as it was ill-attended- I'm not sure if Monday morning at 10:30 was the best time for it. The crisis of the uninsured, underinsured and insured-though-terribly-broke is a topic that seems insurmountable. The ideas presented by the panelist provided some viable ideas for reform, without totally destroying the system in place now- such as employer mandated insurance. One contestant from American Candidate, Joyce Riley, did attend, and offered views on health care but also some rather radical views.

While we all enjoy the thought of being on television, I am more proud to have represented a great organization like PPFA. It is very important to visibly and audibly support Planned Parenthood, and mention Planned Parenthood and the ideals it represents, no matter what the occasion, even if the occasion is a fake election for reality television. There were definitely larger crowds of supporters from PETA and Moveon.org- and I'm glad they were there too. However, it is more important to voice concerns and ideas to the real candidates- which is my real focus. The current administration has villanized Planned Parenthood and other pro-choice organizations as nothing but over-eager abortion providers. No one sees abortion as a right of passage, a "must-do" event between backpacking in Europe and the first wedding. If girls and women have access to education, real sexual education and contraception, the need for abortion decreases. The education, health, and choice of our mothers, wives, sisters, friends, and girlfriends has never been in more danger. The last election and resulting administration has taught us that we can never be complacent again- we can never assume that good or justice will prevail, that life is fair.

Kacy Smith (electronic mail, July 8, 2004)

Editor's Note: See also Index to 'American Candidate'Coverage on the Loper Website and Comments by Holly Hatcher.