Karger wants in on Reagan debate

Presidential candidate Fred Karger has yet to be included in a GOP presidential debate, but isn’t giving up.

Weeks after launching a petition for inclusion in Aug. 11′s debate in Ames — from which he was ultimately denied participation — Karger is now requesting to participate in the Reagan Library Debate, to be held in California, where Karger has been a long-time resident.

“We’re hoping that because I have the closest ties to former President [Ronald] Reagan of any candidate running for president, the organizers would want me on that stage in Simi Valley to share President Reagan’s vision for America,” Karger, who worked as a political consultant on Reagan’s campaigns, said.  “I have been campaigning all over this country for the past 19 months spreading his values, his message of optimism and his ability to get along with Democrats and Republicans alike.”

The Reagan Library debate is Sept. 7 and will feature eight GOP presidential candidates, according to debate co-sponsor Politico.

A copy of Karger’s letter concerning the debate is reprinted below:

Mr. Frederick J. Ryan, Jr.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
40 Presidential Drive

Simi Valley, CA 93065

Dear Fred:

America needs a president like Ronald Reagan now more than ever. President Reagan was a true leader who was able to put partisan differences aside in order to do what was best for the country.

Through Stu Spencer and Bill Roberts, I had the honor of working actively on the 1980 and 1984 Reagan – Bush campaigns with Stu and Bill. I worked with Bob Gray and Charles Wick on the First Inaugural Committee. I moved back to Washington and we ran the Governor’s Participation office.

As a partner of Bill’s at the Dolphin Group, we worked with Lyn Nofziger and Curtis Mack at President Reagan’s PAC, Citizens for the Republic, from 1981 to 1988. We implemented much of the outside political work to support the President’s legislative agenda.

President Reagan was more than my boss; he was my mentor. President Reagan taught me about optimism, toughness, and getting along. He taught me about the diversity of this country and the Republican Party, how to get along and how to bring us together. The nation loved his decisive leadership.

I have built my Presidential Campaign to emulate that Reagan spirit. In my speeches in Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida, South Carolina, my home state of California and throughout the country, I share with Americans that true Reagan spirit; his optimism and his ability to get along.

Let America see a true Reagan Republican on the televised debate from the Reagan Presidential Library on September 7th. I hope that you and the other sponsors will let me on that stage. I promise to invoke President Reagan’s memory and spirit at every turn, like no other Republican candidate for President can.

My candidacy is historic and I have many important plans and ideas to turn this country around just like President Reagan did more than 30 years ago.

I look forward to hearing from you, and hope to see you in Simi Valley in two weeks.

Best regards,

Fred Karger

cc: Mrs. Nancy Reagan
Mr. Brian L. Roberts, Chairman/CEO of Comcast
Mr. Jeffery Immelt, Chairman/CEO of General Electric
Mr. Steve Capus, President of NBC News
Mr. Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC
Mr. John F. Harris, Editor-in-Chief of Politico
Mr. Brian Williams
Debate Sponsors
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