Nader is not running on the Green ticket, will anounce plans in January

[Smashmouth]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/printedition/chi-0312240318dec24,1,2593797.story?coll=chi-printnews-hed

Nader won't run on Green Party ticket

Associated Press

December 24, 2003

WASHINGTON -- If there's a political litmus test for a spoiler in next year's presidential election, it likely won't be green. Ralph Nader, who ran under the Green Party banner in 2000, says he will not do so again--although he has not ruled out running for president as an independent.

Nader, whom some Democrats blame for pulling decisive votes away from Al Gore, told Green Party officials Monday that he did not want their nomination.

He plans to announce by January whether he will run as an independent--a possibility that some in the Green Party are trying to shoot down.

more..........................

[November 2004]

1. This doesn't surprise me, but

another month to find out if he wants to run at all...enough!

[newyawker99]

7. Hi November 2004!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Terwilliger]

2. from the Green Party of California e-mail...

** Green Party of California Update **

Here's a few quotes from some of our more politically savvy members.
--


"The Nader decision underscores this reality: When third parties in the U.S.
wrap themselves around a high profile personality like Ross Perot and the Reform
Party, then that Party's existence falls prey to an imperfect crutch." "High
profile presidential candidate or not," the longevity of the Green Party lies in
its ability to organize and wage strong contests on the local and regional
levels".

Ross Mirkarimi
2000 Nader Campaign Coordinator for CA



"Ralph Nader has been an important force in helping to build the Green Party in
this country. That doesn’t mean the party lives and dies on his decision to run
for president in 2004. Currently there are several qualified candidates vying
for the party’s presidential nomination, including Green gubernatorial
candidate Peter Camejo. With each passing year the Green Party is fielding more
candidates for local and legislative offices, and is slowly maturing into 'the'
legitimate force for political change."

Forrest Hill
Editor, Green Campaigns



"The Green Party's national profile, whoever the Presidential candidate, is
based on our successes in governing locally, getting elected and re-elected.
We now have over 200 Greens in office from coastal California to the Maine
statehouse."

"What is important is that the Green Party platform be part of the 2004
Presidential discourse on issues, and we hope the success of Peter Camejo in
the televised California gubernatorial debates will be repeated with a Green
voice in the national debates."


Kevin McKeown
Mayor, Santa Monica

[Smashmouth]

3. I think the greens have to run someone

If they want to be a national party, they have to. Probably will get a candidate with more appeal to minority voters - Ralph is a fused loop who always attracts the same people. A better candidate will poach from voter groups the Democrats can normally depend on. Cynthia McKinney comes to mind.

[ClarkGraham2004]

4. Good news for democracy (nm)

[1a2b3c]

5. This makes little sense

Main Entry: de·moc·ra·cy
Pronunciation: di-'mä-kr&-sE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -cies
Etymology: Middle French democratie, from Late Latin democratia, from Greek dEmokratia, from dEmos + -kratia -cracy
Date: 1576
1 a : government by the people; especially : rule of the majority b : a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections

[poopyjr]

6. Yes, that will be pretty much gone if Bush wins again.