Illinois Green Party Draws PBS Attention

Why Are Green Party Candidates Better? from Tom Tresser on Vimeo.

Articulate, this year's slate of Green Party candidates in Illinois demonstrate that the financially challenged party is not without commitment in the state. Rich Whitney, a civil rights lawyer, has suited up for his second attempt at the Governor's office. In 2006, he successfully gained ballot access for his state's part by winning 10.4 per cent of the vote. This year, he hopes to get 40 per cent and take the office. In a state and during this time in our nation when dirty politics and corporate influence has received concentrated exposure, a 40 per cent win may not be unrealistic.

In this video Whitney, along with Illinois Green Party candidates Tom Tresser (Cook County Board President) and LeAlan Jones (U.S. Senate) are interviewed on Chicago Public Television. Articulate and on message, the candidates discuss the four pillars of the party's platform: social justice, environmental wisdom, non-violence, and grassroots democracy. When questioned about their lack of office experience, a rarely asked question of candidates of the two major parties, the candidates indicated that they have a lot of experience as community organizers (that seemed to work out well for Obama), that they are NOT beholding to corporate interests, and that they are prepared to enact good public policy to benefit the people.

U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Attempt To Overturn Nader Ballot

excerpt from PRNewswire

In a significant move for open-election laws, the U.S. Supreme Court today rejected an attempt to overturn a federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision that the state of Arizona could not require independent presidential candidates to register earlier than candidates affiliated with major political parties.Arizona's petition for certiorari to the Supreme Court had been closely watched after 13 other states supported Arizona's bid to have the High Court hear the case. The federal civil rights case, originally filed in Arizona federal district court, stems from Nader's 2004 presidency bid.

Ralph Nader had challenged the deadline, contending it violated his First Amendment rights to free speech and political association. Lead Attorney Robert Barnes of the Bernhoft Law Firm represented Nader before the Ninth Circuit, which overturned the district court and unanimously declared the Arizona law unconstitutional. Nader's Bernhoft Law legal team successfully argued that requiring independent candidates to register by June was unfair when the two major political parties did not hold their conventions until the fall.

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Ralph Nader Seeks Peace and Freedom Ballot Line - Video

Nader Seeks Peace and Freedom Ballot Line from Polidoc on Vimeo.

This video of veteran activist Ralph Nader was shot on Saturday, August 2, 2008 in Sacramento, California at the California Peace and Freedom Party (PFP) Convention. Ralph Nader vied for the party's Presidential nomination against contenders of other parties seeking the valuable ballot line. Green Party candidate, Cynthia McKinney, Party for Socialism and Liberation's Gloria La Riva and Socialist Party's Brian Moore, each offered compelling solicitations, but Nader won out in the first round of votes. La Riva came in second. PFP is a socialist, pro-peace party pre-dating the California Green Party.

Attaining this ballot line was crucial to the Nader campaign as it would add significantly to his perceived electability. For entry into the nationally televised debates, The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) requires that candidates have an electoral chance of winning and be listed on 5 mainstream media polls. Without California, historically one of Nader's strongest states, mainstream media could more easily discount the viability of his campaign.

Slice of Green Ontario

Neighbors north of the US have less of a challenge when it comes to alternative parties, while in the US, members of such parties are often cast as unreasonable extremists, if seen at all.

This grassroots media campaign from Ontario, Canada by YouTube user "b1withme", offers a glimpse at just how neighborly and non-extreme a Green Party person can be.

Ralph Nader's Acceptance Speech for the Peace & Freedom Party Presidential Nomination

Video of Ralph Nader's acceptance speech at the Peace and Freedom Party (PFP) Convention held in California on August 2, 2008. More than half the attending delegates voted for Nader in the first round, thus ending the nomination.

After accepting the California's PFP Nomination for President, a much relieved and excited audience of delegates listened to the veteran activist give his acceptance speech. Nader graciously thanked his fellow candidates, including Cynthia McKinney, who, he said, amplified one another's presentations.

"We really have to go to work," said the man who never stops doing just that.

For more on the Peace and Freedom Nominating Convention, read our earlier post, "Ralph Nader Expands His Ballot Access to 23 States"

Nader Announces Open the Presidential Denver Super Rally

Currently shut out of the Presidential debates by the requirement thresholds set by the non-profit “Non-Partisan” corporation Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), veteran Presidential campaigner Ralph Nader has called for a Super Rally to be held on the Eve of presumptive candidate Barack Obama’s big night in Denver, Wednesday 27,2008.

The CPD requires that candidates poll at least 15% nationally, as measured by the average of five corporate media polls. In contrast, the League of Women Voters (LWV), who sponsored the debates of three Presidential cycles (1976, 1980, 1984) employed a 5% rule as measured by independent polls.

The LWV ceased to sponsor the debates in 1988, after the George Bush and Michael Dukakis campaigns drafted the first secret debate contract, a “Memorandum of Understanding” that dictated who got to participate and who would ask the questions. On October 3, The LWV 14 trustees voted unanimously to drop out of the debates, and issued the following press release:

The League of Women Voters is withdrawing sponsorship of the presidential debates … because the demands of the two campaign organizations would perpetrate a fraud on the American voter. It has become clear to us that the candidates’ organizations aim to add debates to their list of campaign-trail charades devoid of substance, spontaneity and answers to tough questions. The League has no intention of becoming an accessory to the hoodwinking of the American public.

The organization Open Debates has criticized the CPD for awarding control of the debates to Democratic and Republican campaigns. It notes that the CPD’s Executive Directors are gaming lobbyist Frank Fahrenkopf and pharmaceutical lobbyist Paul Kirk. The debates are sponsored by multi-national corporations and their presence is quite visible during the televised debates.

Strict control of the poll threshold, particularly in conjunction with ballot access regulations, also instituted by the two major parties, assures that the Democrats and Republicans need not fear the invasion of dissident voices on the debate stage. However, disident voices do resonate with the public when provided the opportunity. Consider Governor Jesse Ventura who explains his surprising win thusly, “I was allowed to debate. I proved that you could go from 10 percent to 37 percent and win if you’re allowed to debate. Rest assured these two parties don’t want to ever see that happen again.”

Earlier this year, an organization called Science Debate 2008 had tried to convene a debate between then Democratic contenders Clinton and Obama and Republican McCain. No takers. Science Debate orgnizers then hoped that they might get to host an event in the fall. Obama has agreed to just three debates as controlled by the CPD. Perhaps the Science Debate 2008, Google and Open debates could get together and present a debate which allows for the 5 per cent threshold candidates. If Obama and McCain choose not to come, they must have their reasons, but at least we’d hear from the likes of Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin - maybe we can have some spontaneous dialogue that way. A novel approach to debate, spontaneity.

If you are interested in opening up the debates, you can e-sign this petition. If not for this election, than for the next.

League Of Women Voters Wikipedia Page
Open Debates
Science Debate 2008

Nader Calls a Super Rally in Denver for Eve of Democrats' "Big" Night

Currently shut out of the Presidential debates by the requirement thresholds set by the non-profit "Non-Partisan" corporation Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), veteran Presidential campaigner Ralph Nader has called for a Super Rally to be held on the Eve of presumptive candidate Barack Obama's big night.

The CPD requires that candidates poll at least 15% nationally, as measured by the average of five corporate media polls. In contrast, the League of Women Voters (LWV), who sponsored the debates of three Presidential cycles (1976, 1980, 1984) employed a 5% rule as measured by independent polls.

The LWV ceased to sponsor the debates in 1988, after the George Bush and Michael Dukakis campaigns drafted the first secret debate contract, a "Memorandum of Understanding" that dictated who got to participate and who would ask the questions. On October 3, The LWV 14 trustees voted unanimously to drop out of the debates, and issued a press release:

The League of Women Voters is withdrawing sponsorship of the presidential debates ... because the demands of the two campaign organizations would perpetrate a fraud on the American voter. It has become clear to us that the candidates' organizations aim to add debates to their list of campaign-trail charades devoid of substance, spontaneity and answers to tough questions. The League has no intention of becoming an accessory to the hoodwinking of the American public.

The organization Open Debates has criticized the CPD for awarding control of the debates to Democratic and Republican campaigns. It notes that the CPD's Executive Directors are gaming lobbyist Frank Fahrenkopf and pharmaceutical lobbyist Paul Kirk. The debates are sponsored by multi-national corporations and their presence is quite visible during the televised debates.

Strict control of the poll threshold, particularly in conjunction with ballot access regulations, also instituted by the two major parties, assures that the Democrats and Republicans need not fear the invasion of dissident voices on the debate stage. However, disident voices do resonate with the public when provided the opportunity. Consider Governor Jesse Ventura who explains his surprising win thusly, "I was allowed to debate. I proved that you could go from 10 percent to 37 percent and win if you're allowed to debate. Rest assured these two parties don't want to ever see that happen again."

Earlier this year, an organization called Science Debate 2008 had tried to convene a debate between then Democratic contenders Clinton and Obama and Republican McCain. No takers. Science Debate orgnizers then hoped that they might get to host an event in the fall. Obama has agreed to just three debates as controlled by the CPD. Perhaps the Science Debate 2008, Google and Open debates could get together and present a debate which allows for the 5 per cent threshold candidates. If Obama and McCain choose not to come, they must have their reasons, but at least we'd hear from the likes of Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin - maybe we can have some spontaneous dialogue that way. A novel approach to debate, spontaneity.

If you are interested in opening up the debates, you can e-sign this petition. If not for this election, than for the next.

League Of Women Voters Wikipedia Page
Open Debates
Science Debate 2008

Rosa Clemente, Green Party VP, Reaches Out to Crowd for Media Focus

Video courtesy of Craig Seeman, New York

Rosa Clemente, political activist and Vice-Presidential candidate for Cynthia McKinney on the Green Party ticket, calls out for constituents to pressure the mainstream media to give McKinney some airtime. She also calls for independent and progressive media to open up their coverage to Green Party politics.

Few media outlets showed up for the Green Party Convention, that despite it being in a state where the Green Party is an established player in this election. Though NPR was there for most of the convention, reporting was reduced to a few paragraphs and some sound clips, missing some of the elemental progressive messages abundant throughout the events. Even C-Span failed to provide the level of coverage extended to the Libertarians, airing only McKinney's and Clemente's acceptance speeches (1hr. 18 min.), in contrast to the coverage offered the Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate Debates, nomination and speeches (9+ hrs.). So, the fact that the media is not covering the Green Party is evident. What is not as clear is whether McKinney is in favor of those mainstream media opportunities that might come her way.

McKinney, who has been the target of repeated media attacks in the past, recently told Polidoc that she will not allow herself to be set-up for abuse by mainstream media. The cancellations of interviews cited by Clemente in the provided video may be from either side. Savvy media for candidates includes minimizing potential damage control. Look at Obama and his limitation of debates, clearly a move to minimize swiftboat opportunities. McKinney knows she is in a precarious position as she sets the stage for the Green Party to attract new communities of color, suspicious of liberal rhetoric without action.

Broadcast media, offered the privilege of using our public airwaves through government licensing, should be providing fair coverage to all the established candidates. Before deregulation in the '80's, it was a mandate. Any respectable reporter would refrain from artificially flaming a candidate; likewise, every candidate needs to be prepared for the attack if, and when, it does happen.

Petitioning for the Underdog

This is really a place holder for a deeper article to be written on petitioning for ballot access, but until then, let us send you to the Wilderside where they offer an on-the-ground petition campaign rehash.

Comedy Central Interviews Green Party VP & She Slaps em Back

Comedy Central's Third Party Thirdspolosion tries a bit of their satire with Green Party Vice-Presidential Candidate Rosa Clemente, but Rosa is down with it. She unabashedly faces their humor in her own inemicalbe style, which is right in your face.

With this kind of attitude, I think she might be ready for Colbert and how could resist the temptation to get down with some hip-hop; he is, afterall a musician himself. The lady knows how to play her cards, though her irony was clearly lost on some who commented on the article.


Here's a peak at how she responds to Comedy Central's Second Stringers:

Indecision2008: Do you think a Green Party candidate can win the presidency?
Rosa Clemente: YES

INDY: No, seriously. Do you actually think a Green Party candidate can win the presidency.
RC: AS LONG AS IT'S A DARK GREEN

INDY: What's the 3rd party convention scene like?
RC: WHITE FOLKS THOUGHT WE WERE THE HELP

INDY: Tell us about your first 100 days.
RC: ARREST BUSH AND COMPANY, MAKE ANGELINA AND BRAD'S CHILRDREN MY CABINET AND NO MORE TAXES

INDY: Who's your favorite president. Ever. From any country. Or TV Show?
RC: PRESIDENT PALMER FROM THE SHOW 24

INDY: Describe your leadership style in one word. Don't say green.
RC: HIP-HOP.

INDY: Who will you be voting for?
RC: WHO WILL YOU BE VOTING FOR?


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Ralph Nader Expands Ballot Access to 23 States - More on the Way

Ralph Nader’s capture of the Peace and Freedom Party’s (PFP) California Ballot line provides a major step in his Presidential campaign this year, affording him the opportunity of appearing on the ballot in the state that gave him a 3.9 per cent margin in 2000. This brings his overall state ballot access to 23 with a hope of securing another 22 by September 20. It also greatly legitimizes his media worthiness, thereby adding to his campaign strength.


Nader won the California Green Party primary with a substantial lead, despite his not being a declared candidate. However, when he announced at the end of February that he was running as an Independent, he also prepared his Green constituents that he would cede his grasp of the California State Green Party ballot line to former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and focus instead on attaining the PFP line, a small Socialist party that has had ballot access off and on since its 1966 inception.

Nader's repeated declaration was a boon to the McKinney campaign, assuring her the lead in the national Green Party nomination. However, doubts loomed in the McKinney camp and amongst some Greens as to whether or not Nader would honor his repeated assurances of releasing claim to the Green Party line. Similarly, the Nader camp was concerned that McKinney would not relinquish her grasp on the PFP line of which she had won 21.4% in the primaries, falling behind Nader at 41 per cent. The third place candidate, Gloria LaRiva of the PFP and the Socialist and Liberation Party took 21 per cent. Brian Moore, Socialist Party, sat at 5.4 per cent.

The PFP convention did not share the happy veil of “coopetition’ that had filled the Green Party Convention a few weeks earlier. The Green Party candidates had worked in large part together throughout their campaigns, assisting one another with moral and strategic support and in the case of Kat Swift and Kent Mesplay, even shared a campaign manager. The PFP convention, however, was contentious, with factionalism spurring infinite definitions of socialism ranging from anti-corporate to pro-Marxist perspectives.

When McKinney appeared at the PFP convention this past weekend sharing a hospitality room with fellow candidate Gloria LaRiva, a palpable tension emerged within the Nader camp. Both female candidates share similiar goals of bridging and building a political movement that joins the black and brown communities. They reflect this intention in their vice-Presidential choices: LaRiva had selected a young black male student as her running mate and McKinney selected hip-hop political activist Rosa Clemente who is of Puerto Rican descent. Would McKinney throw her delegates to LaRiva? If so, that could have lost Nader the nomination and cost his campaign dearly as there was not enough time to collect the required number of 158,372+ *signatures to appear on the ballot as an independent candidate for President in California.

However, McKinney did not spend a lot of time campaigning and she was traveling without an entourage. Instead, she was using her time to explore the PFP of which she had had little experience. In the hospitality room she was sharing with LaRiva, McKinney compared her home state of Georgia to the sunshine state with a warm smile, “In California, you sure have a lot of choices!” She spoke to the 20 people stuffed into the room about her recent trip to Stockton, California, a center of migrant farm laborers. In the tightly packed convention room, her literature was sparsely displayed and parlay with her delegates was minimal. Anxiety amongst those devoted to Nader relaxed the next day with news that McKinney had left the convention before the vote for a previous speaking engagement in San Jose, CA at the Muslim Legal Defense Fund.

The delegates were not bound to the primary results so speeches made at the convention held great power to persuade. Betweeen the first and second day of the convention, Nader addressed the concerns of those who thought he was not far enough left for the PFP. And Peter Camejo, Nader's 2004 running mate and a respected member within Socialist circles, fired up the crowd, a feat which demonstrated remarkable strength, given he is once again undergoing cancer treatments and had just undergone a blood transfusion the previous day. Then there was Matt Gonzalez, Nader's running mate this year, whose articulation of his capabilities and goals sealed the Nader campaign's intentions and its value to the PFP. It was clear, in the first round of voting that Nader had taken the nomination. The Naderites cheered jubilantly and the previously tense faces relaxed into deep relief.

Just as Nader helped to grow the Green Party in 1996 and 2000, the PFP stands a good chance of growing its ballot line along with its number of registered voters. The test for the small party is how it will take advantage of the jumpstart which Nader's organization can provide once the election is over and Nader returns to his life as a non-party activist.

The Green Party saw a 100 per cent jump in its registered members, due in large part to the enthusiasm generated with the 2000 Nader campaign. However, according to one Green Party founding member Ross Mirkarimi, the party was never able to capitalize on the kind of organization Nader had around him. Building a party was not Nader's goal. Rather, he wants to attack the vehicles blocking the path of all third parties and independents - ballot access. He was interested in toiling the soil in which the seeds could be planted, in which any progressive party could better flourish. While not enough for those seeking a Socialist revolution, it was clearly a welcome opportunity for the majority of delegates at the PFP convention.

* California State Candidate Qualifications and Requirements

Nader Sweeps Up Peace and Freedom Party Nomination

Ralph Nader handily won California's Peace & Freedom Party's Presidential Candidate nomination in the first round On Saturday, August 2 in Sacramento where about a hundred delegates gathered to listen to the candidates and select from among them.

The candidates vying for the nomination were long time Party for Socialism and Liberation activist Gloria LaRiva who came in second, Socialist Party's Brian Moore, and the Green Party's Presidential Candidate, Cynthia McKinney.

Ballot lines are so valuable to third party and independent candidates that even a smaller party, like Peace and Freedom with its 80,000 registered voters in California have become an attractive ticket over the course of this election cycle. With Nader's win, the P&F party are assured ballot access in Utah as well as California and add the promise of growing the number of registered voters.

While the meeting was not without some contention, many delegates expressed a deep appreciation and delight that four powerful progressive activists presented themselves for consideration and offered motivation and clarity to their platforms.

More on this story later.

Greg Palast Says Obama Should be Scared about Blacked-Out Voters

Obama Doesn't Sweat. He should.

by Greg Palast

In swing-state Colorado, the Republican Secretary of State conducted the biggest purge of voters in history, dumping a fifth of all registrations. Guess their color. In swing-state Florida, the state is refusing to accept about 85,000 new registrations from voter drives - overwhelming Black voters.

In swing state New Mexico, HALF of the Democrats of Mora, a dirt poor and overwhelmingly Hispanic county, found their registrations disappeared this year, courtesy of a Republican voting contractor.

In swing states Ohio and Nevada, new federal law is knocking out tens of thousands of voters who lost their homes to foreclosure.

My investigations partner spoke directly to Barack Obama about it. (When your partner is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., candidates take your phone call.) The cool, cool Senator Obama told Kennedy he was "concerned" about the integrity of the vote in the Southwest in particular.

He's concerned. I'm sweating.

It's time SOMEBODY raised the alarm about these missing voters; not to save Obama's candidacy – journalists should stay the heck away from partisan endorsements - but raise the alarm to save our sick democracy.

And that somebody is YOU. Joining with US, the Palast investigative team. Here's how:

We have been offered an astonishing opportunity to place the Kennedy-Palast investigative findings on a national, prime-time, major-network television broadcast. Plus, separately, we have an extraordinary offer to create a series of reports for national network radio.

But guess what? The networks will NOT PAY for our public service reports. We have to raise the start-up funds in the next two weeks to film it, record it and get it on the airwaves.

WE need YOU to fund the reports, DISSEMINATE the findings as we post the print, audio and video on the web– and ACT on it.

So, for only the second time this year, I am asking each one of you to make a tax deductible donation to the non-profit, non-partisan Palast Investigative Fund of $500, $150 or $100.

Progressives have complained for years of no opportunity to get the hard, cold sweaty truth on the air. Well, put your money where your heart and soul is.

Donate at least $500, I'll send you every book I've written and every film, signed. Send $150 and I'll send you as a gift, a copy of John Ennis' film Free For All, Armed Madhouse, The Election Files and a copy of Live from the Armed Madhouse all signed. Donate $100, and I’ll send you 3 copies, one signed to you, of "The Elections Files," (Watch the trailer here) the best of our BBC/Democracy Now films – including special never-broadcast interviews with Kennedy(Watch a clip) and fired prosecutor David Iglesias (Watch a clip).

I know you’re ponying up for your favorite candidates. But what’s the point of winning folks' votes IF NO ONE COUNTS THEM?

Please make your donation – today. No corporation, no big foundation, is going to take on this emergency in our democracy. The election’s about to be stolen – for a third time. SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Donate today (for $1,000 minimum, we’ll list you as a Producer of our next DVD, in gratitude). Why? Because the only way to get the vote-chewing cockroaches out of the voting machinery is to turn on the lights – tell the truth on them. On prime time.

After our team busted the story of Katherine Harris' attack on innocent Black voters as "felons," the NAACP sued and won back their rights. The truth CAN make the difference. Yes, we can. Indeed, we HAVE.

Think all votes should be counted in America? Then YOU stand up and be counted. Don’t expect networks or commercial sponsors to pay for your democracy. Feed the truth, donate $100 right now and pass on a copy of the Elections Files to your dippy cousin who thinks Kerry lost fair and square.

Donations from our prior and only request already paid for some of our filming in the Southwest. Don't let this story be swept under the border.

If you want more information, go to GregPalast.com, or write me directly at GregPalast.com – and hit the button, "contact Greg."

**************************
Greg Palast is a Puffin Foundation Writing Fellow for Investigative Reporting at the Nation Institute, New York. Read and view his investigations for BBC Television at www.GregPalast.com.

Nader and McKinney Heighten Ballot Access Buzz in the Big Apple

Both Progressive Presidential candidates, Cynthia McKinney of the Green Party and Independent Ralph Nader, launched their ballot access campaigns this week in New York State.

The Apple state requires independent and third party candidates without ballot status to collect 50,000 "valid" voter petition signatures or an amount equal to 5% of the number of voters in the recent gubernatorial election, to qualify to have their name appear on the ballot. Think of the effort and money spent that might be better spent on media or staff or travel accommodations.

As a result of the DNC led assault on Nader in 2004 which threw him off several ballots, candidates now aim to get twice the number of required signatures to assure qualification. That means 100,000 signatures.

Video Producer, Craig Seeman offers the following video segments of Green Party Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney at a New York News Conference.




Using a phrase coined by her running mate, Rosa Clemente, McKinney promotes a new slogan for her newly adopted party, "The Green Party is not an alternative, it's the imperative."

Green Party Presidential Candidates Face Forward

When the Green Party Candidates face off for a debate, well, it's really more of a team sport, where the players know that the end goal is to lift the party image higher.

Lots of highlights in this Miller Politics show which I would like to illuminate, but I'm pressed for time as production is stealing away my blogging time.

Poignantly, it was the generous respect the candidates offered one another that leaves the impression that, though the nominating convention may be short, it will also be sweet.

Listen to the last of the 2008 Green Party Presidential forums (billed as a debate) on Blog Talk Radio's Miller on Politics show.

Minnesota's Democratic Party Affiliate Adopts IRV

The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Part (DFL) has adopted Instant Runoff Voting (IRV), a method of ranking your first, second and third choices for candidate, rather than using a winner-take-all system.

Whether from increased pressure by third parties or just plain fair play, several state parties have pushed for IRV. Minnesota is the third state Democratic party to adopt IRV. The Utah Republican Party sues IRV for state convention elections. IRV is also a core platform of the the Green Party of the United States and is practiced in municpal elections in various parts of the country. DNC leader Howard Dean has publicly encouraged IRV in his state for over a year and the hope is that encouragement will spread.

The Minnesota DFL joins a broad and rapidly growing coalition of organizations for IRV, including the League of Women Voters, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Star Tribune, TakeAction Minnesota, Minnesota Public Interest Research Group, Citizens for Election Integrity and The White House Project.

I support ranked choice voting, including instant-runoff voting, because it is the fairest and most efficient way of holding elections in a diverse society. Ranked-choice voting's fairness -- to the individual voter, to each group of voters, and to the candidates -- surpasses any other voting system. Instant-runoff voting ensures that our elected leaders get elected with support from a clear majority, not just a plurality, and it removes any incentive for strategic misrepresentation so that the voters can vote their true preferences. A ranked-choice system promotes diversity, and fully satisfies the right to an effective vote.

- DFL Chair Brian Melendez

Slated Greens Removed from Ballot in Illinois

Four Green Party Congressional candidates in Illinois slated after the Primary were booted off November's ballot. Objections had been made by Democrats who are adjusting to the increased number of candidates competing in Illinois now that the party has ballot access.

read more at Pantagraph.

For more on a related ballot access issue read this article on the Illinois State Attorney Green Party Candidate Faces Derailment .

New IRV Video Explanation from FairVote

As a San Franciscan, I take great pride in being born in the small city of two leading spokespeople for IRV, Steven Hill and running mate to Ralph Nader, Matt Gonzalez.

Many municipalities have begun to employ IRV (Instant Runoff Voting) both for its democratic value, but also for its cost savings.

Here's a current list of where IRV is being used or considered:

IRV is used on the municipal, state, and national level in governments around the world, as well as by non-governmental organizations and corporations.

U.S. governments currently using IRV:

* Arkansas (overseas voters)
* Burlington, VT
* Cambridge, MA (Proportional voting method of choice voting)
* Cary, North Carolina
* Hendersonville, North Carolina
* Louisiana (overseas and military voters)
* North Carolina (certain judicial vacancies)
* San Francisco, CA
* Springfield, IL (overseas and military voters)
* South Carolina (overseas voters)
* Takoma Park, MD

Upcoming implementations in the United States:

* Aspen, CO
* Berkeley, CA
* Ferndale, MI
* Minneapolis, MN
* North Carolina (city and county pilot programs)
* Oakland, CA
* Pierce County, WA

Approved As Advisory or Option Measure in the United States:

* Davis, CA (Proportional voting method of choice voting)
* Santa Clara County, CA
* San Leandro, CA
* Vancouver, WA
* Sarasota, FL

*Ann Arbor (MI), New York (NY), and Yonkers (NY) have used IRV in the past.

McCain Waves Green Hand Over Florida - Irony not Lost on Green Party Presidential Candidate Mesplay

The presumptive Republican candidate for President, John McCain skimmed over the Florida everglades today in an effort to demonstrate his concern over environmental issues. McCain hopes to impress voters that his environmental record is much better than Obama's.

The irony is not lost on Green Party Presidential candidate Kent Mesplay. In a recent interview, Mesplay said, "There's a tendency of candidates and corporations to greenwash, to pretend that they are more into environmental issues than they really are, which is fine, because they are moving in the right direction. Then, it's up to seriously green people to ask the serious questions, 'Well, just how Green are you?'"

Polidoc is awaiting some music rights before unveiling a finalized piece on Mesplay, but here's a sneak peek.

Libertarian Bobb Barr on Colbert Report

Stephen helps former Republican Congressman Bob Barr explain his marijuana policy shift with memorable humor.

Barr had authored anti-drug enforcement regulation and has since joined the Marijuana Policy Project. Barr might be remembered as one of the legislators who led the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. He had also rescinded his opinion on the Patriot's Act.

Very funny interview.