O- Didn't Al Gore lose in 2000 because of Nader? Won't running a Green as presidential candidate in 2008 lose the White House to the GOP again?
R- Gore lost because he didn't fight hard enough for a fair vote count. But I suggest the Greens focus on Congressional races, on getting some Greens into Congress. If Al Gore would consent to be the Green candidate for president, everything could change.
O- Isn't the Green party disorganized?
R- The Green party is organized on a local basis, doing well in some areas, not so well in others. You can probably help your local Greens to get better organized if you put some time into it.
O- How can the Greens win elections without corporate money?
R- With the internet, many candidates have raised millions in small donations. Greens are grassroots based, and can do the same.
STRATEGY SUGGESTIONS
1. Focus on the Congressional races- this is where the Democrats are most vulnerable, since the public's rating of Congress is even lower than its rating of Bush. Congressional districts are manageable, financially, logistically, socially. Local issues can be brought up, as well as national issues.
2. Keep the focus on impeachment. This is the issue that distinguishes the Bush collaborators from the honest people in DC. If your Congressperson has not signed on to H Res 333, the bill to impeach Cheney, then he/she is vulnerable. The people want Bush and Cheney out. By becoming a viable pro-impeachment candidate, you are increasing the pressure on Congress to impeach.
3. Make a clear distinction between corporate-funded candidates and Green candidates We stand for government for the people, not for the super rich who control corporations, and whose interests have been well served by the Bush administration. Focus on Congressional corruption. The electorate is sick to death of scandals- new ones coming up every day. They are now suspicious, rightly so, of anyone who has been in DC for a while. We can use slogans like:
GREEN for a clean sweep of Congress.
GREENS, not greed.
GREENS represent people, not corporations.
4. Focus on global warming and the need for sustainability. The Greens look ahead seven generations, and are not focused on immediate profits, as are the corporate-run politicians. Some slogans:
FOR A GREEN FUTURE, VOTE GREEN
FOR PEACE, VOTE GREEN
