Kent Mesplay Addresses the 2008 Green Party National Convention at the Presidential Candidate Forum

These are Kent Mesplay opening remarks at the 2008 Green Party National Convention, held in Chicago, July 11, 2008. Mesplay emphasizes the use of environmental policies and has coined the phrase, "Sustainability is Security" in an effort to redefine how people think of security.

Now that the Green Party nomination of McKinney has closed this one door, what will Mesplay be up to... Well, he'll be running for California Congress in 2010 for one.

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.

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.

Green Party Presidential Candidates to Debate on Miller Politics Podcast Show

Dan Miller offers a nonpartisan political podcast show on which he interviews candidates of all stripes. He's a very mellow host who lets people explain their positions fully.

This Saturday, at 5 pm, he is hosting a debate with Green Party Presidential Candidates. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/millerpolitics.

The 1.5 hour show is recorded live and there is usually an opportunity to call in and ask questions. You can also listen to the show anytime afterwards.

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.

Buried Science Debate Scratching its Way to Surface

Science appears to have fallen into the dark ages. Ignored by the Democratic Candidates and politely declined by McCain during the primaries, Science Debate 2008 organizers focus on the post-primary period to reassert the need to have the candidates discuss important matters of science. Democrats were able to "debate" over faith (McCain declined). The Green Party briefly had a seat at the table - quite briefly, the irony being that the Green Party candidates, particularly Kent Mesplay, Ph.D. are unafraid to discuss science and would be quite eager to debate on the matter. Despite qualifications and willingness, polling status leaves this party out in the cold, even over Global Warming issues.

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Polidoc Crew Explores Green Party Presidential Hopeful Kent Mesplay's Home Turf

The Polidoc Crew is in the San Diego area to find out more about Presidential candidate Kent Mesplay.

Mesplay, an environmental scientist and political activist, knows the odds are against him and his Green Party, but he is still hopeful that this campaign will shed light on issues of security and sustainability, cornerstones of his platform.

Next week, we'll have a short piece about him ready for you to view and wow - has he ever developed while on the campaign trail.

Faith Before Science Leaves Greens In the Cold

While presidential frontrunners Clinton and Obama have refused to debate over matters of Science at the Science Debate 2008 on April 18, the Democratic candidates are eager to address issues of Faith at the Forum on Faith Issues on April 13. McCain has not yet committed to either. Logistical conflict has been cited, but given the importance of Science, why does it get the short shift?

"This is not a niche debate, the future economic success of the United States depends on out-performing the competition with smart people and smart ideas. Without the best education system and aggressive investments in basic research and development we will become a second rate economic power. We hope the candidates for president take this very seriously."

-Craig Barrett

Chairman, Intel

Green Party Presidential Candidates would love to take this seriously, but they were not invited, nor even responded to when inquiries were made, according to Green Party Presidential candidate Kent Mesplay, Ph.D. of Science. He along with fellow Grassroots Presidential candidates Kat Swift and Jesse Johnson will stage their own debate in Pennsylvania mid-April, both to discuss their deep concerns related to Science and to protest their non-representation at a forum where they feel they have some stake in being heard.

The supporters of the Science Debate 2008 include a list of prominent institutions, company executives and politicians. It has been planned for months, but what do you do if you throw a debate and no one shows up?

Depending upon what happens to Clinton in the next few primaries, perhaps after Pennsylvania's, the organization will hope to have a debate in Oregon before the state's primary in May.


resources:
Science Debate 2008
Forum on Faith
Plan B for the Science Debate

Scientists Want Issues Debated but Candidates Won't Commit

The Pennsylvania state primary is looming, and scientists are planning for presidential candidates (polling at 15%+) to hold a debate on science-related issues on April 18 at the Franklin Institute (http://www.sciencedebate2008.com). Unfortunately, none of the candidates have agreed to attend, according to a press officer for the organization.

read more | digg story

McKinney Wins Wisconsin's Green Party Primary

Cynthia McKinney, former Democratic Congresswoman of Georgia, maintains her lead in the Green Party Presidential Candidate race with her win in Wisconsin this last weekend. Kent Mesplay came in second with 10 percent. Both of these candidates spent time campaigning in the state and that appears to have made the difference.

The state has 24 delegates out of the total 836 national delegates. Wisconsin Greens will allot 19 delegates to Cynthia McKinney, two to Kent Mesplay, one to Ralph Nader, another to Kat Swift. One delegate will remain uncommitted for the first round.

Ralph Nader is not expected to seek the Green Party nomination nor is he qualified by the by-laws of many states which have recently stipulated that the candidate must be a member of the party. His delegates, if they show up at this summer's convention, will be allowed to cast their vote for Nader in the first round and vote for other candidates still in the running in the second and third rounds.

Mesplay is hopeful that he can pick up Nader delegates in the second round. However, many of Nader's appointed delegates have indicated that they will have a difficult time justifying the personal expenditure for a trip to Chicago where the Green Party Convention will be held, when they already know their candidate will not be in the running.

A competition is what makes a Convention interesting for the delegates who scratch out who their nominee will be. It is also interesting to the press, so the decline in delegates which had been promised to Nader may have impact on the attention the press is willing to spare on the Green Party.

Kent Mesplay Considers Effects of Nader's Independent Run on Green Party Convention

Kent Mesplay, campaigning for the Green Party nomination for President, suggests that Ralph Nader's Independent run for President might boost his delegate count in the second round of this summer's Green Party Convention.

Though Nader won significant popular vote in several key states, including California with the largest constituency, many state parties have successfully pushed for bylaws which require a candidate to be a signed member of the party.

"Ralph Nader is basically doing his own thing, as he always does. I think strategically, he’s making a mistake if it is his intent to be the nominee (of the Green Party). If I criticize the man it’s not because he’s running an independent candidacy. He’s saying some important things and pointing out that there’s too much money in politics. People who were drafting him allowed his name to be used, so there are many who are disappointed." He continued, "Nader has elder status in that he helped the Green Party get going. Some people just have not been able to let him go."

Mesplay contends that, as in 2004 when he ran against Nader and Cobb, Nader's delegates may be attracted to his particular platform, which emphasizes sustainability .

"Things get interesting in the second round," said Mesplay, when the number of promised delegates pledged to Nader could select one of the remaining candidates, including himself. "I intend to win the nomination."

Cynthia McKinney, former Democratic Congresswoman of Georgia who recently signed up to be a Green appears to be the frontrunner. McKinney draws into the party a much sought constituency of the black and urban communities. Her platform emphasizes social and economic justice, a much heralded but little played tune from the party's ten key values. Her record of standing up in Congress to others in office and of opening up matters that most have ignored gained her the respect of many Greens, while her public persona took a beating from fellow Democrats and the media. To date, her campaign has demonstrated the most organizational and fundraising muscle.

When asked about fellow candidate Jesse Johnson's recent vote of support from Democratic Presidential candidate Mike Gravel, Mesplay said, "I’m pleased for Jesse, because it shows that people are starting to pay attention to the Green Party. It shows how creative we can be and how creative we must be in order to attract media attention."

Mesplay hopes that in the 100 days before the convention, his additional campaign work will attract enough state delegates to offer good competition at this year's convention. This weekend, he will be a guest speaker at the Harvey Mudd College Goal 5 Conference, along with a number of other distinguished environmentalists. In late April, he intends to protest the exclusion of the Green Party at the Science Debate 2008 , a nationally sponsored debate between the Democratic and Republican candidates for President. Difficult to not see the irony that the Green Party would not be included in an event like this. It remains to be seen if Ralph Nader will be attending, either as an invited or unwelcomed guest.

To hear more of BlogTalk's interview Kent Mesplay, use the media player below, and check out other blogtalk radio shows. There are a surprising number of third party candidates voicing their opinion and it's a good thing to know there's an alternative to the corporate media out there.


For more information, go to Mesplay's campaign website.

Blog Talk Dec. 2007 Interviews of Presidential Candidates: Mesplay and Schriner

Pulling this out from the recent past is an interview by BlogTalk of two candidates who are seeking the Green Party nomination for President. Kent Mesplay and Joe Schriner first met at the Green Party Convention in 2007 held in Reading, PA.

Mesplay, who has been a member of the Green Party for more than ten years, is an environmental scientist from San Diego. He ran for the Presidential nomination in 2004 as well as the California Senate in 2006.

Schriner thinks it would be good to have just an average guy in DC. A part-time journalist and activist, he became a Green in 2007 at the Convention. Though he has not been recognized as a Green Party candidate on the National He (and his family) have been traveling for over six years campaigning for the Presidency. They drive around in a old trailer

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.

Bay Area California Green Parties Host "A Debate that Matters"

Presidential Candidates vying for the Green Party nomination will debate on Sunday, January 13 at the beautiful Herbst Theater in San Francisco, CA from 2 pm - 4 pm.

Those in attendance include:

• Jared Ball
• Jesse Johnson
• Kent Mesplay
• Cynthia McKinney
• Kat Swift

Undeclared candidate Ralph Nader, who appears on the California ballot as well, will not participate in the debate, according to the most recent agreement, but will address the audience after the debate.

The debate will be moderated by Activist Cindy Sheehan and Bay Area Green Party members and office holders Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, School board member Mark Sanchez and former Supervisor Matt Gonzalez and On-Air personality Aimee Allison. Candidates will also address audience questions.

The debate, which was planned over this last month by Alameda and San Francisco County Green Parties, is very significant. It will be the only opportunity for these candidates to face off before Super Tuesday. Ralph Nader and Cynthia McKinney will be the major draw for the event. Greens are eager to hear the two leading candidates hammer at the issues that seem to escape the debates of the Democrats and Republicans. The Iraq War, Economic Justice and the Ecology will dominate the floor. Yet to be seen is how well will the the lesser known candidates appear against these two mighty contenders. They are each articulate and caring and informed in their own rights, but have only worked on local and state levels previously.

The short notice of the debate puts the less robustly financed candidates in a difficult position as they scramble to find a home at which to stay in the Bay Area. To not show up slices him/her out of a significant opportunity to get their message and name known on a national level. The debate will be videtaped and uploaded to YouTube and promoted on Green Party list-servs and websites.

Jared Ball of Washington D.C. returns to the Bay Area after having just campaigned in California in mid-December, despite the pressures of having a new baby at home and a professorial job. Jesse Johnson, who is challenging the West Virginia Election Board to get the Green Party on the ballot, was caught by surprise by the short notice; his delay in confirming his attendance resulted in his name not being included in on-air and print material. Kat Swift, the sixth candidate has made a sudden change as well and will be coming out.

Elaine Brown, activist and former Black Panther Party leader, removed herself from the race two weeks ago.

The video will be available several days after the debate. KPFA will be broadcasting the debate. Democracy Now and Polidoc Productions will be working together to create an archival video of the event.

Arkansas Green Party Candidates File For Presidential Primary

Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay, Kat Swift and Jared Ball will appear on the Green Party ballot candidates on the Arkansas primary for President. Compare that to California or Illinois' list for an understanding of the many shades of green.

In California, in addition to the four already mentioned, Ralph Nader Elaine Brown and Jesse Johnson passed the Green radar.

In Illinois, Kat Swift and Jesse Johnson was passed over.

Delegates from other states will cast their votes during this summer's convention to be held in Chicago. Hopefully, that will give the final candidate enough time to effectively mount their final campaign for the November 2008 standoff.

read more | digg story

Illinois Presidential Ballot Signatures Face Objection

update: 3rd Congressional District candidate Richard B. Mayers, widely considered to be a "faux" green by the party, is responsible for the objections. Dan White, executive director of the state election board, said he was unsure how long it would take to decide the merits of Mayers’ objections.

“Some can be disposed of quickly while others could take weeks,” White said, according to the site Pantagraph.com.


original article posted on November 11, 2007

After a very successful and hard-fought petition drive, the Illinois Green Party's Presidential Candidates for the Primary have all received an objection to their petitions. At least they are in good company, however, since the Democratic candidates who filed in that state are also facing objections.

Illinois Greens, Socialist Equality Party and other third parties have had their petitions challenged by Republicans and Democrats in the past, wasting party resources and manpower for the smaller parties. So, while we could imagine that the Democrats might have done it again to the Greens (or perhaps specifically to Ralph Nader who is suing the DNC on ballot access issues dating back to 2004) - who's doing it to the Democrats?

In 2006, Democrats challenged the Green Party's petitions. Christina Tobin, founder of Illinois Free and Equal who had worked as a ballot access coordinator for the Illinois Libertarian party in 1998 and 2000, and Ralph Nader in the Green Party for Illinois' presidential ballot access in 2004, claimed both Democrat and Republican state officials urged state officials to undermine these campaigns and keep them off the ballot. Despite claimed proof of these allegations, enormous legal fees prevented Tobin from pursuing the cases further.

"I really have seen first and foremost the similarities between this two-party bullying," said Tobin. "There is really no difference when it comes to what these two parties will do in order to get [independent candidates] off the ballot and deprive the voters of more choices and the real issues they want to hear.

A representative for each of the candidates who wishes to remain on the ballot must present themselves to the State Election Board this coming Monday, November 19, 2007 at the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph Ste: 9-040, Chicago, Illinois at 10:30AM.

Republicans do not hit their petition deadline until December 4. It will be interesting to see if their petitions also face objection.

references:
Illinois State Election Board Candidate List
Challenging Illinois Ballot Access Laws
Illinois Democrats prepare challenge against petitions to place SEP candidate on ballot
Nader Case Against Democratic National Committee Chair is Assigned to an Experienced Federal Judge
Ralph Nader Sues Democratic Party

Illinois Nails Petition Deadline for Presidential Primary

The Illinois Green Party successfully gathered enough signatures for the following four candidates on the Presidential Primary Election in February.

• Jared Ball
• Howie Hawkins, stand-in for Ralph Nader
  
• Cynthia McKinney
  
• Kent Mesplay
  

It was Gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney 's 2006 run that achieved statewide party status and significantly eased ballot access requirements for the state's new but quickly growing party. This opportunity (and challenge) to place candidates on the state's primary ballot is a symbol of success, both for the state's party but for all the Greens. Being on the primary ballot will boost the visibility of the party in the state, itself the goal of many of the candidates.

During an interview at the Annual State meeting, Whitney said that meeting the two candidates who managed to make it there made a difference for him. Californian Kent Mesplay and Washington, D.C. Jared Ball had committed their campaign pocket book to demonstrate the importance of introducing themselves to the state's party representatives. Showing up seemed to have made a difference in the case of the Illinois petition drive as signatures were not collected for other grassroots candidates.

Three grassroots candidates who were placed on the California primary ballot but did not make it onto the Illinois ballot were:

• Texas activist Kat Swift
• Georgia's Elaine Brown and
• West Virginia's Jesse Johnson, who is also considering a gubernatorial run.

Neither Howie Hawkins who is a stand-in for Ralph Nader, nor Cynthia McKinney made it to the Illinois State meeting; however their international notoriety was enough to garner the support of petitioners who collected signatures on their behalves. McKinney was in Chicago at the time and did meet with party leaders to discuss a strategy for accruing signatures, which apparently went well.