Matt Gonzalez Shoulders Vice-Presidential Mantle for Nader's Campaign

In what will no doubt be a shake up amongst Greens, Ralph Nader has announced that Matt Gonzalez, a Green Party champion and lawyer, will run as Vice President on an independent ticket for the Presidency. For those who have speculated whether or not Nader would be seeking the Green Party nomination, this appointment of the well-regarded Gonzalez should make it clear. Come July, there will be a robust competition for the Green party nomination.

Gonzalez publicly renounced his affiliation with the Democratic Party in 2000 and joined the Green Party, egged by the stranglehold that the major parties had over the media during a political debate.

“ I couldn't help thinking of how most of my support in last year's district attorney's race came as a result of being allowed into televised debates with my better-known opponents and how that support has eventually led to my being the frontrunner in the District 5 supervisorial race.

The more I thought about it, the more I knew I wasn't OK with it. I didn't want to be a member of a party that was urging the exclusion of a candidate solely on the grounds that the candidate didn't have enough support, when it's precisely television coverage that could win that candidate public acceptance.

So if the Democratic Party is working so hard to squelch valuable debate, why should I remain a Democrat? I was already discouraged by Al Gore's pronouncements, during the presidential debates, in favor of the death penalty and his equivocation on gay marriage. As I reflected on this, I realized I had less in common with Feinstein's party than with Medea Benjamin's." (quoted from Wikpedia)

Anyone who enters the race with Ralph would have to anticipate that there will be an onslaught of Democratic led lawsuits badgering them along the way. Gonzalez, a civil rights lawyer, will be better prepared than most to handle the pressures that will be applied throughout the nation.

To hear some of Gonzalez' recent comments related to the Green Party, listen to this re-broadcast of January's Green Party debate in San Francisco, in which Matt adds perspective on the development and consequences of the party's campaign on the 2008 election.

Ralph Nader Announces His Candidacy For the Presidency

Many Greens Wonder Whether He Will Pursue the Green Party Nomination or Seek a Party-Splitting Endorsement

On Sunday morning,Ralph Nader announced his Independent run for the Presidency on "Meet the Press" citing issues of civil liberties and ballot access as driving him into the race. Nader charged the Democratic candidates with taking issues such as single payer health care, labor law reform and the bloated defense department budget “off the table”.

On Thursday, February 27 he will hold his first public address in Washington, DC and announce his running mate. In the past, he has run with Winona LaDuke, Medea Benjamin and Peter Camejo.

Nader’s declaration met with mixed reactions from Democrats as well as some Green Party members. Democratic Candidate Senator Hillary Clinton stated that Nader’s candidacy is “…unfortunate” and “It’s not good for anybody, especially our country.” She cited Nader’s run with the Green Party against Al Gore saying “Nader prevented Gore from being the Greenest President we could have had.”

Senator Barak Obama commented: “Ralph Nader deserves enormous credit for the work he did as a consumer advocate. But his function as a perennial candidate is not putting food on the table of workers.” He also downplayed the impact of Nader’s candidacy, saying "I think anybody has the right to run for president if they file sufficient papers. And I think the job of the Democratic Party is to be so compelling that a few percentage of the vote going to another candidate's not going to make any difference."

This response from Obama is, at least, refreshing compared to many Democrats, who are determined to win the next election at any cost, according to Progressive Radio Talk Show Host Ed Schultz. As an example, Democratic party operators sued Nader during his 2004 run to try and keep him off the ballot in a smattering of states. Defensively, Nader is suing the DNC for infringing the rights of third parties to attain ballot access.

While many Greens are relieved and thrilled that Nader has committed to a run, others are unsure what this means for their Party as they apportion delegates. Nader has already decisively won the Green Party’s primary contest in California. If Nader runs outside the party, will he still receive a motherlode of delegates from the Green Party of California? How does this impact the other candidates vying to be on the top of the Green Party ticket, including former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who has won the Green Party primaries in Washington, DC and Illinois and came in second behind "undecided" in Arakansas.

Political Director of the National Green Party (GPUS), Brent McMillan said, "Clearly, Ralph would be one of the front runners if he chooses to seek the Green Party's nomination. We currently have a great field of candidates that are campaigning aggressively for the nomination. We believe that seeking the Green Party's nomination will ultimately be of greater value than running as an independent."

Nader's camp assures that he intends to seek the nomination, but if that effort is challenged, will the independent State Green Parties ignore the national party's nomination and offer Nader a party splitting endorsement? This choice wreaked havoc within the party in 2004 and many are concerned that another split will fracture the Party while it needs to be coming together. Most Greens want a candidate who will run hard - in their name.

Green Party Presidential Candidates Kent Mesplay, Jesse Johnson and Kat Swift

Three of the four Green Party Presidential candidates met in Scottsdale, AZ this last weekend to help with a signature drive to get the Green Party on the state's ballot. Though the party gained ballot access in Arizona after the 2000 election, the Greens have to regain their ballot lines for the upcoming contest. Green Party Presidential candidates Kat Swift and Kent Mesplay pounded the pavement for signatures at a parade and festival on Saturday and Presidential candidate, Jesse Johnson helped with Sunday's efforts.

They felt that Nader's lack of commitment to run as a Green is disrupting the Party. While Nader can expect to pull many votes from Greens, many party organizers and members feel that it is time for the Green Party leader to be a party member.

“It’s frustrating," said Swift. "We (grassroots candidates) are totally excluded from consideration by members of the party because the focus is on whether or not Nader is going to run. It leaves us all up in the air and doesn’t help build cohesiveness in the party, which is why we are all running. We’re all trying to build the party and win the nomination and then get behind whomever does win the nomination, move forward and win the election.”

"Ralph Nader has been accorded special draft status," said Mesplay. "When does that end? I have a feeling the way things are going, that at the time of the Convention, he will still be, in whatever way he can maneuver, a draft status candidate and that is just not good enough. We can respect Nader for being an Independent, but if he wants our ballot lines he has to take that extra step and register as a Green."

From California to Illinois and Pennsylvania, the discussion amongst Greens is hot and diverse. After tomorrow's announcement regarding Nader's selected VP, a profoundly new stage of the Green Party Presidential campaign will have been set.

Awake From Your Slumber - Nader Sets His Alarm Clock to Run

video produced by Hudson Mohawk Indymedia 2008

The failure of the Progressive Democratic candidates Edwards or Kucinich to stay in the race for President compelled Ralph Nader to do the thing that Democrats just hate - launch an exploration into running for President.

There is little doubt that Nader will declare an official run, though he knows that a bloody ballot access battle lays ahead. He has already faced an $80,000 fine levied upon him by a Democratic judge in Pennsylvania for presumably committing voter petition fraud; Nader has since counter-sued. The DNC, however, is committed to a win in '08 at any cost, according to Progressive Radio Talk Show Host Ed Schultz.

Nader expects to ask for an endorsement at the Green Party Convention in Illinois in July. While half of Green Party voters remain loyal to Nader, the other half is determined to have a candidate that is a party member and will allow itself to work with party officials. Nader has stated on many occaisions that he refuses to join a party.

There are now four official Green Party candidates in addition to Nader. While all of them have received support within their own regions, only one has received nationwide acceptance and is the declared frontrunner amongst bloggers. Cynthia McKinney, a former Democratic Congresswoman from Georgia, recently denounced her party and declared her candidacy for the nomination for President for the Green Party. She has received endorsements from many key party organizers.

While many hope that the two frontrunners, Nader and McKinney could pull the Democratic leaning and the Socialist parts of the party together, there is no immediate consideration of that partnership. Some fear that the Convention will net the same dividing results which occurred in 2004 between the "Demo-Greens" and the "Left-Greens".

See this interview from Democracy Now.

Lucky Draw Places Greens Ahead of Democrats and Republicans in Du Page, Illinois

The Green Party of Du Page, Illinois has won a lottery draw for ballot placement in the November 2008 election. This means that the Green candidates will appear first on the ballots in November's general election followed by Democrats and then Republicans.

Failures in the Democratic Party Benefit Greens

by Guest Blogger: Kevin Gosztola

Progressive Dennis Kucinich’s failure to gain a significant percentage of votes in the Democratic primaries and his failure to combat media exclusion was a good thing for the Green Party. Witness the comments that came from supporters who were thinking about what to do now that the most prominent voice of discourse in the Democratic Party has called it quits to save his seat in Congress.

On the Kucinich Action Forum there was much anger:

“I will still vote for Dennis here in AZ, but after that is done, I will be withdrawing from the Democratic Party. They do not represent me anymore. Ironically THEY are REPUGnant.

I'll probably register Indpedendent until such time something better comes along, if and when it does.” –ArtistfromMars

“let's NEVER FORGET what they [Democratic Party] did to us THIS TIME AROUND” –stephen

If Dennis is still on the ballot here in NY, I'll vote for him. Election- I'm done with the Democrats, guess I'll go Green –vinnycolletti

I will also be withdrawing from the Democratic party. They have betrayed us. DINOS (Democrats in Name Only!). Like the Who says: "I won't get fooled AGAIN!" –AnitaStewart

On OpEdNews.com:

After Kucinich--Green Party is the Only Alternative

Kucinich was the only serious candidate of ideas in the Dem-Repub race. Now, we need to bolster the Green Party candidates, all of whom share a platform most like Kucinich's. Don't waste good votes on Obama, Clinton, Edwards, Drooliani, Huckster, Dumbney, or McInsan. –bassclef

Greener pastures with McKinney: After donating to Kucinich's campaign and seeing what the Democrats have done to Dennis, this supporter in California will be voting for Cynthia McKinney in the Green Party primary. -GregoryW

In fact from Greens:

(Come Home to the Green Party) Articles like this one make a great point. I feel somewhat like this now that Dennis Kucinich is no longer in the race. Fortunately, we do have a choice. The Green Party has been working at the grassroots level since the 1980s to build a real alternative. We've elected candidates at local and state level across the country. As an indication of our burgeoning support, Arkansas will hold a Green Presidential Primary Election for the first time in February of this year.

Take a look at the Greens' website (www.gpus.org). If you don't like everything you see, chances are you're not alone. But, do you like everything about the Democrats? Do you agree with Senator Edwards on everything? With the Greens, you have the opportunity to get involved and influence the outcome, secure in the knowledge that we will at least have a real and substantive discussion and debate.

To me, the essence of Green politics is (1) we see that all the issues are connected, and (2) that solving our problems requires ecological design where one solution addresses more than one problem. Politicians debate the issues, but Greens solve problems. -JohnWages

Consider McKinney: And after the Dems pick Hillary we will need to have a voice in the 2008 national elections. Cynthia McKinney is running for the Green Party presidential nomination. She would pick up where Kucinich left off. -bruceg

“First, since I am a Green, the idea of Dennis coming over to join us would be wonderful. He has had the Democratic party thumb their collective noses in his direction three times now (once on impeachment and twice as a candidate.)

Dennis has one thing in common with the most likely Green Party Presidential Candidate, Cynthia McKinney. They both had the chutzpah to introduce Impeachment in the House.” –wrolley

The only important issue that I have ever disagreed with Dennis about is his continued participation in the Democratic Party. I understand why he does -- without it he would lose his congressional seat by an attack of the Democratic establishment. Only staying a Democrat keeps them at bay from a frontal attack.

But by staying a committed Democrat Dennis feeds the delusions of progressives that the Democratic Party cares about them or about any of the real progressive issues. –GregoryW

There seemed to be widespread recognition of political reality among supporters of Kucinich. That’s why people who try to change the party from within should be supported by Greens. That’s also why Greens should invite Dennis Kucinich and his supporters to discover Cynthia McKinney or whoever they are planning to run as their nominee. (People supportive of Kucinich know a Green Party exists while supporters of Clinton, Edwards, and Obama probably are unaware.)

Many are refusing to vote for the lesser of two evils this year. Amen to that because it’s about time a wave of Americans woke up to reality, a reality Ralph Nader has been trying to communicate to Americans for years now if not decades.

Kucinich supporters should take what’s happened to them and use it as reason to join the Green Party. Don’t hang around and try and support Mike Gravel who is doing way worse than Dennis was doing. And please do not shift to supporting another dissident in another corporate establishment party, Ron Paul, who will only be squashed in due time by the Republican powers that be (they’ve already excluded him from one FOX News debate and can’t wait to exclude him some more; his media coverage is miniscule too which is revolting).

Greens are looking forward to an influx of registration. Think I’m kidding? My article on where do supporters go now after Dennis quits was linked to on a blog run by a Green.

Strength through peace is a Green Party slogan. Democrats still like peace through strength as much as Republicans do.

UPDATE
With the dropping out of Edwards, I was curious if anyone would be dropping Cynthia McKinney's name in the comments section anywhere. Particularly, I wondered if any Edwards supporters were thinking the same way Kucinich supporters had...

I found nothing on the Edwards for President website. (I did find that Obama supporters better watch it or else they are going to find Edwards suporters that were interested in shifting to supporting him just to be "anti-Billary" will just decide to not vote at all in the primary.)

On Common Dreams, I did find this:

Well that’s it for me.

I’m voting Green!

Cynthia McKinney for president 2008!

Other than that, it looks like the Greens know an opportunity when they see one. They are out trying to sway Edwards supporters to come to their party. I can only assume that a week later (almost) they have been out courting Kucinich supporters too.