phase II: Greens Want Candidate in 2004
The Green Party had its convention, and they overwhelmingly support running their own candidate for President in 2004:
The magnitude of the disaster this decision poses to the hopes of unseating Bush cannot be understated. And the threat is not Nader-specific, in fact the Greens have multiple presidential candidates under consideration, at least one of whom is at least as delusional as Nader himself:
I'd go as far as saying that Nader running wouldn't actually be the worst possible outcome. The worst possible outcome is if Dennis Kucinich, after losing the Democratic nomination (as he surely will), decides to run as a Green.
I've deliberately labeled this post as a Phase II because I see courting the Green vote as critical. Remember, 2004 is NOT ABOUT 2000. As Dean supporters, we have to make a clear and RESPECTFUL case to the Greens. We can't take them for granted and we can't take the extreme left wing of the Democratic base for granted either. What we need is outreach on the same scale as we do for Latinos and asians and blacks.
Some have maintained the Greens should skip the race and support the Democratic candidate in the hopes of unseating President Bush. "Bush is a serious threat to your country and the planet -- a much greater threat than any Gore-like Democrat," wrote Jason Salzman and Aaron Toso on their Web site, repentantnadervoter.com. Both were supporters of Green Party candidate Ralph Nader in 2000.
Most, however, said the party should join the race. Many said they believe there is still little difference between the major parties -- one activist tagging them "Republicrats and Demopublicans."
Others complained the Democratic Party is too weak-willed to adequately oppose Bush's agenda. Others said Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (Ohio), the only Democratic presidential candidate who has much support among the Greens, is unlikely to win his party's nomination.
There are also more practical concerns: Without a presidential candidate, the party could lose its place on some states' ballots. It would probably be largely ignored by the news media without someone at the top of the ticket -- and the public might assume the party is on the decline.
The magnitude of the disaster this decision poses to the hopes of unseating Bush cannot be understated. And the threat is not Nader-specific, in fact the Greens have multiple presidential candidates under consideration, at least one of whom is at least as delusional as Nader himself:
Carol Miller, an activist from New Mexico who urged Bush, Vice President Cheney and the entire Congress to resign over their handling of the situation in Iraq.
I'd go as far as saying that Nader running wouldn't actually be the worst possible outcome. The worst possible outcome is if Dennis Kucinich, after losing the Democratic nomination (as he surely will), decides to run as a Green.
I've deliberately labeled this post as a Phase II because I see courting the Green vote as critical. Remember, 2004 is NOT ABOUT 2000. As Dean supporters, we have to make a clear and RESPECTFUL case to the Greens. We can't take them for granted and we can't take the extreme left wing of the Democratic base for granted either. What we need is outreach on the same scale as we do for Latinos and asians and blacks.
Comments