When the dust settles after next week’s third and final debate between US President Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney, Americans will be left to choose between just two men to run the country. Unless, of course, they turn to RT.

In response to widespread blackout from both the mainstream media and political establishment alike, RT is honored to be presenting a platform for the major third-party candidates also vying for the White House this election year to debate. The event will be moderated by multi-award winning broadcast journalist Larry King and will be broadcast live from Chicago, Illinois on October 23. RT America and RT.com will offer the event live in cooperation with the debate’s organizers, the Free and Equal Elections Foundation.

Thom Hartmann, the star of RT’s The Big Picture and noted radio host, is one of a few select journalists hand-picked to hit the candidates with questions about their campaign.

Despite having their platforms largely silenced by the elites of a two-party political system, Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson, Green Party candidate Jill Stein, Constitution Party candidate Virgil Goode and Justice Party candidate Rocky Anderson plan to continue their campaign through Election Day. Since their thoughts on issues critical to voters has been muted by the mainstream media, however, their arguments for how they envision America under their own leadership has been left in the dark.

“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,” Free Equal Founder Christina Tobin tells the press.

Larry King, who retired from his role as CNN commentator just last year, says in a press release for the event that being given the opportunity to test the wits of the third-party candidates is “a truly exciting opportunity.”

“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,” King says.

RT America will begin its pre-debate coverage at 8pm US Eastern on October 23 (00:00GMT and 04:00MSK October 24) with a panel of journalists and commentators including our own Thom Hartmann weighing in on this year’s election. Arguments from the candidates themselves will be underway an hour later when Mr. King takes ove.