"Dignity" Delivers Her Green Message

2008 Green Party Presidential Candidate, Cynthia McKinney was held by the Israeli government when the humanitarian boat she was on was detained.

Here is a link to freegazat.org from where McKinney, a former Democratic Congresswoman of Georgia, reports on the Dignity's mission and the message of political action she hopes to bring to the Middle East.

The oldest, most prestigious Israeli paper, Haaretz also reports on the detention. American Press has been slow to cover this story.

Obama's Rock-Star Status Challenged in Gaza-Israel Conflict

Much of the world cheered when Barack Obama won the 2008 US Presidential Election. Never has there been such an international out pour of delight. However, Obama's recent cabinet appointments and decision to refrain from calling for a cease fire in the current Israel-Gaza/Lebanon conflict has drawn the sharp criticism of Progressives, Greens and Black Nationalists. As if that's not enough, Democratic House members are also responding to appointments with ruffled feathers.

Black Agenda Report Editor Glen Ford has been critical of Obama for a long time, pointing out that while the President-Elect holds celebrity status amongst many in the black community, their vision is short-sighted. Ford indicates that Obama stands on the shoulders of Martin Luther King, Jr. but does not fulfill the promise of the Civil Rights leader.

Ford, an outspoken Black Nationalist, points instead to Green Party Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney as "Black America's moral emissary to the world...Thanks to the presence of the former Georgia congresswoman and Green Party presidential candidate on the mission, millions of Arabs have been made aware of a different Black America, one that is not silent, like Barack Obama, in the face of a purposely inflicted human rights catastrophe."

Obama has asserted that he is very concerned with the recent conflict but that "there is only one President at a time." This defense is sour sloganism for activists who are impatient for solutions to the conditions of Palestinians in Gaza. Progressive Democrats are more patient, but still critical. Ben Cohen writes in the Huffington Post that Obama and Clinton's silence on the Gaza is a failure that will lead to the strengthening of Hamas.

Given that President Bush is already halfway to the Crawford Ranch, Obama's deference leaves a vacuum of opinion from the White House.

Ralph Nader Douses New American Hero with Verbal Vinegar *update

*updated with links to other articles with long and interesting threads of comments

Ralph Nader loves to turn a phrase or evoke a parable, but there's a lot of reaction to this latest word play. In this clip, he catches some heat from the Fox TV host when he describes the governing choices of the President-Elect Obama as either to be that of Uncle Sam or Uncle Tom. This kind of hyperbole lends Nader to criticism by many who do not follow his deliberate prose. The show's host scolds him for not having some kind of reverence for this day. For Nader, it's just another day of protest.

In general, the two Progressive Presidential candidates, Nader and McKinney, responded to Obama's win with enthusiasm and recognition that this is a big day for people of color. Both crafted the motivating messages for their followers, that the job is not done and that they must apply continued pressure on politicians. However, where Nader applies vinegar, McKinney applies honey. Both are useful antiseptics with different purposes.

For some interesting reflections on the Nader comment, follow these threads:
Truthdig
The Daily Beast
SFGate

McKinney Says Time is Out for Special Interests - Election of Obama a Great Opportunity

Cynthia McKinney, Green Party Presidential Candidate, extended her congratulations to the President-Elect, but extended the challenge to her progressive audience to keep up the charge. The group was awaiting election news results for bosom friend and peace activist Congressional candidate Cindy Sheehan at her campaign headquarters in San Francisco, California.

"Time is out for OUT special interest rule in Washington D.C. Time is out for special interest rule in Sacramento, California and in all the state capitols across this country.

It is time for us to take our country back and I believe the change in the White House is the beginning of people thinking that they are taking their country back. And our work is to organize, mobilize, agitate to make sure that actually takes place."

Also in attendance was Presidential candidate for the Party for Socialist and Liberation Gloria La Riva.

California Presidential Ballot Demonstrates Wide Field of Choices

McKinney Campaigns Through California

Cynthia McKinney Visits Fairfax, CA for Green Party Gathering from Polidoc on Vimeo.
Green Party Presidential Candidate, Cynthia McKinney, wrapped up a week of campaigning in California with a Bay Area visit over the weekend. She met with Bay Area Greens in bucolic Fairfax. The hosts, Larry Bragman and Lew Tremaine, mayor and city council member of Fairfax as well as , were proud to be hosting the town's first Presidential candidate visit. It was a gorgeous day and McKinney supporters had come from all over the Bay Area to hear their candidate speak.

McKinney attended several events while in California, including a co-hosted evening with comedienne Roseanne Barr attended by Greens, 911 Truthers and hip-hop activists.

McKinney has grown as a Green, an identity that she wears with greater and greater certainty. Coy and cautious with the press, she had allowed us to interview her at a Green Party retreat more than a year and a half ago at which time, she was "just getting to know the Greens" from outside of Georgia. Now, having traveled all over the country (though not yet to every state), McKinney has noted the differences. She has also educated herself on the history of the United States Green Party, a somewhat complicated tale that exposes the difficulty of raising a third party in a winner-take-all system.

Nader HIts Bailout Plan Hard in San Francisco

Earlier today, Presidential Candidate Ralph Nader spoke in front of the San Francsico Federal Reserve Building, protesting the bailout.


Later, Nader spoke at the San Francisco Commonwealth Club in an interview with Tabitha Soren, Former Political Reporter, MTV and NBC.

Green Party Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney has also come out with comments and video which we will post soon.

3rd Party Bookends: McKinney(G) & Barr(L) Share Georgia Root

What these two Presidential candidates share in common, aside from a desire to reform Washington D.C. is a history of Georgia politics. Opposite on social issues, their coincidental time in office says a lot about the districts and times they represented. Now, they carry these differences into the Presidential arena.

At a recent press conference called by Libertarian-leaning Republican Ron Paul, McKinney appeared along with Independent candidate Ralph Nader and Constitutionalist Party Chuck Baldwin. Bob Barr chose to not share the stage despite agreement on the four principles agreed upon by the third party candidates. According the Atlantic Constitution, Barr's campaign spokesperson Andrew Davis said “Bob had a press conference right after that one,” and “He didn’t want to dilute his message by being on the same stage as people like Cynthia McKinney, who is completely opposite of what a Libertarian is.”

Yet, Ron Paul and the other three candidates understood the need for a unity of the smaller parties in order to break the stranglehold of the two major parties on the substantive content of the political debates, without which voters do not have an opportunity to critically evaluate platforms outside of the corporate influenced parties.

Here's the link to the CSPAN recorded Press Conference:http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&products_id=281024-1

read more | digg story

Democracy Now Discusses Significance of Historic Run with Green Party Presidential Candidate McKinney

This video, while two weeks old, is still timely, given the concern of little media attention provided to a third party villified for having "spoiled" the election in 2000. Green Party Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney speaks with Amy Goodman about the international significance of the Green Party and the responsibility the Party has to state its case and be heard. Vice-Presidential Running Mate, Rosa Clemente, who is a hip-hop activist and journalist, also spoke to Goodman about the media "whiteout", a term used to describe the perceived suppression of the voices of people of color by media gatekeepers .

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.

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.

Kat Swift of Texas Calls Out for Action

Kat Swift, Texan Green, reminds us that "We are the change we seek" in her introductory remarks at the 2008 Green Party National Convention Presidential Candidate Forum in Chicago, IL on Friday, September 11.

With Cynthia McKinney taking the nomination, Swift sets her mind on her next race, and it is a race she has a great chance at winning in her town of San Antonio, which is no cow-pokin' town. She would represent about 100,000 people from her district. Outlook appears good as dissatisfied constituents have already come out in support of her and offered to throw fundraising parties. Stay tuned.

Cynthia McKinney Offers Opening Statement at Last of Candidate Forums

Cynthia McKinney @ Green Party Nat'l Convention Candidate Forum from Polidoc on Vimeo.

Cynthia McKinney, six-term Congresswoman and activist, makes her opening statement at the 2008 Green Party National Convention Presidential Candidate's Forum. The following day, she wrapped up the party's nomination and introduced hip-hop activist Rosa Clemente.

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."

Moving Forward with the Progressive Agenda, McKinney Captures Green Party Nomination

Nader Wishes the Green Party's Candidates Success in Ballot Access

Cynthia McKinney, six-term Democratic Congresswoman, snagged the Green Party nomination for the Presidency in its first round of delegate votes, naming hip-hop activist Rosa Clemente her running mate. A jubilant crowd responded to the relieved candidate, whose path to the nomination has seen some trouble.

The merging of "radical" black politics and "tree-huggin" Greens was never going to be easy. Nevertheless, the struggles were swallowed in the bosoms of hundreds of dancing people in the audience. Members of McKinney's campaign, the other candidates and the Reconstruction Party took the stage.

While the Green Party completes its navigation toward the Cynthia McKinney campaign for President, both candidates Ralph Nader and McKinney have expressed their deep respect for one another and have pledged to continue working on parallel progressive paths. Each of them describes their campaign as a movement. McKinney's campaign will focus on delivering new voters from the hip-hop, Reconstruction communities, arenas that Nader is unlikely to challenge for votes.

Both Nader and McKinney have carefully selected running mates who are youthful and energized, preparing to pass the baton of leadership. We'll report more soon. We have been crushed by deadlines related to our film. Until then, here is Nader's public statement.


RALPH NADER ISSUES STATEMENT ON CYNTHIA MCKINNEY'S NOMINATION

Washington, DC: Independent Presidential candidate Ralph Nader issued the below statement today on the Green Party's nominee for President of the United States, Cynthia McKinney.

"I want to congratulate Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente on winning the Green Party nomination for the Presidency of the United States. I wish them well and hope they go into all 50 states and spread the message of the Green Agenda. The country needs a diversity of voices that are unrelentingly progressive, forthright, candid, and documented in good sound civic values and the wellbeing of all the people.

"Third party candidates usually are more forthright and they highlight social justice issues that are regularly ignored or contravened by the two major parties. As history shows from the anti-slavery Liberty Party of the 1840's to the women's suffrage and farmer and labor parties up to the early 20th century, eventually the big ideas of these little parties break through.

"Although the Nader/Gonzalez and Green Party platforms have many similarities, we are not competing for votes, but instead we are allies joined in a common struggle to tap the huge and growing numbers of millions of unsatisfied voters who want to vote for something better than the lesser of two-evils. The more progressive voices and choices, the more widespread will be the definition of freedom as participation in power.

"In Cynthia McKinney, the Greens have an energetic and courageous candidate unafraid to challenge America to be better for the millions who are marginalized, overcharged, underpaid and ignored by the two-party duopoly. Her vim and vigor offers the Green Party an excellent chance to break through in 2008 and provides voters one more viable alternative to the DemReps. I wish her and Ms. Clemente good luck."

Cynthia McKinney announces Rosa Clemente as Vice-Presidential Running Mate

Cynthia McKinney, frontrunner for the nomination as the Green Party Presidential candidate has announced that political hip-hop artist and activist Rosa Clemente has taken on the running-mate role in this coming election.

Rosa Clemente is renowned for her dynamic and political activism. This commitment to attracting the promised hip-hop community brings new light and vitality to McKinney's campaign that has been running under the radar recently.

Polidoc Crew Prepares for Green Party Convention

We will be off the blog radar for the next week, as the producers immerse themselves in projects leading up to the Green Party Convention, July 10-13 . We will update you on the Green Party Convention on site in Chicago where the Party's Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates will be selected.

McKinney Joins Sheehan in Campaign for California's 8th District

Green Party Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney has joined on as honorary co-chair of Cindy Sheehan's Congressional campaign. Sheehan is challenging incumbent Congresswoman and Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi for the California's 8th District seat. Sheehan's and McKinney's shared dedication to end war and drill this administration has pulled them together as friends and candidates.

“Having Cynthia on board is a significant gain for my campaign. She has experience in tough campaigns and brings a wealth of knowledge. I am running to win, we have already raised close to $200,000 and everyday we get more and more support as people get more fed up with Pelosi’s mis-leadership,” says Sheehan.

McKinney has just about sewn up the Green Party nomination, which will be finalized at the Green Party Convention on Saturday, July 12 in Chicago, IL.

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.