Chicago, Oct. 16, 2012 - Free and Equal Elections Foundation, the only organization offering a platform to every major candidate, today announced that Larry King, host of Larry King Now on Hulu.com and Ora TV, will serve as moderator for its special 2012 Presidential debate. Hosted by Free and Equal, this debate will take place on October 23 at 9:00pm EDT at the Hilton Chicago. Ora TV, Russia Today, and the Free and Equal Elections Foundation will broadcast the debate live on the Internet.

The Free and Equal Elections Foundation has assembled a diverse group of ballot-qualified candidates in order to offer a truly multi-partisan debate for American voters. With sponsoring organizations spanning the ideological spectrum from The Nation to The American Conservative, it is clear that both the left and right in this country agree that the two-party system is broken. Free and Equal’s debate will be the type of open, honest, and solutions oriented discussion that the American people deserve.

“We are honored to have Larry King moderate this historic debate,” stated Christina Tobin, Founder and Chair of Free & Equal. “The previous debates between President Obama and Governor Romney have failed to address the issues that really concern everyday Americans. From foreign policy, to the economy, to taboo subjects like our diminishing civil liberties and the drug war, Americans deserve a real debate, real solutions, and real electoral options.”

Unlike traditional mainstream debates, viewers will be invited to submit questions via the web and social media, creating the first truly open and democratic debate on record. People can submit questions via Free and Equal's website, or they can use the hashtag #AskEmThisLarry on Twitter.  

Click here to watch the 2012 Free and Equal Presidential debate commercial.

Mainstream debates are sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates, which executes debate contracts drafted by the Republican and Democratic campaigns containing non-public provisions that sanitize debates, disregard viable third-party and independent candidates, and prohibit participation in other independent debates.

“Millions of Americans have already watched political coverage on web outlets like YouTube this campaign season, and we think there will be great interest in hearing from the set of candidates that Free and Equal has brought together” said Ora TV CEO Jon Housman. “The diverse perspectives of the featured candidates, combined with the unparalleled experience of Larry King, will make this a must watch event.”

“This is a truly exciting opportunity,” said debate moderator Larry King. “I have interviewed every US President since Nixon, and lest people forget, I helped usher Ross Perot into the national conversation during the 1992 presidential contest. I appreciate the importance of providing a platform to those with real alternative visions for our country’s future.”

Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson, Green Party candidate Jill Stein, Constitution Party candidate Virgil Goode, and Justice Party candidate Rocky Anderson have all confirmed their participation in the debate.

Free and Equal’s 2012 Presidential Debate sponsors span the political spectrum of grassroots organizations, media, artists, and businesses uniting to solve our nation’s problems. Current sponsors include: The Nation, Fair Tax Nation, Humboldt Sentinel, Before It’s News, The Josh Tolley Show, Ballot Access News, Come Home America, Owl Creek Gazette, Free Talk Live, Securing Liberty Radio,1787 Network, Voice of Russia, Freedom’s Phoenix, Muslims for Liberty, National Constitution Party, The Justice Party, Blue Republicans, Restore the Republic, Re-Tea Party, Free the Vote NC, We the People, Grassroots for Liberty, New Progressive Alliance, Libertarian Party of Illinois, Liberty Candidates, Liberty Avengers, Liberty Chat, Cook County Green Party, Marin Libertarian Party, Rockford Tea Party, Dangerous Conversation, End the Lie, Wide Awake News, Freedom Files, Kelly Truth Squad, 1787 Flags, The Liberty Views Letter, Liberty Hour, Liberty Tree Foundation for the Democratic Revolution. , Through the Mirror with Larry Sinclair, ROJS Radio Live, Drudge Retort, Freedom Informant Network, Gadsden Rising on Freedomize, Irregular Times, J.D. Nero, The Industry, StopTheLie.com, LulzBot, Ron Paul Flix, Cindy Sheehan's Soapbox, Elect1.org, Rense Radio Network, Milwaukee Business Promotions, Libertarian Party of Tennessee, Devvy, KCSB, and No Agenda.

Ora TV is also broadcasting the mainstream Presidential Debate’s on its YouTube Channel, as well as additional political coverage, throughout this election season.

Ora TV and Larry King are unaffiliated with the Free and Equal Elections Foundation and all sponsoring organizations. All views expressed by Free and Equal and its affiliates are in no way associated with Larry King or Ora TV.