{news} strategy meeting reported in New London Day

[David Bedell]

The Day

Heavy Rains Keep The State's Greens At Home

By RICHARD RAINEY
Published on 4/3/2005

New London — Bad weather was a factor in a low turnout for the statewide 
meeting of the Green Party at New London's public library Saturday.

Four people braved the torrential rains to begin strategizing about mounting 
campaigns against national politicians in November 2006. Sen. Joseph 
Lieberman topped their lists of targets.

“There's so much interest in running against Joe Lieberman because he's 
practically a Republican to a lot of people,” said Tim McKee, chairman of 
the Green Party's national committee.

The Green Party in Connecticut has been growing, officials said Saturday. 
Some candidates took as much as 10 percent of the votes in a few November 
elections across the state, they said. Mike DeRosa, a co-chair of the state 
Green Party, said it currently held three seats in Connecticut, and about 
220 nationwide.

But it is the laws regulating the petitioning process that have hamstrung 
the party, members said.

“These rules are designed to keep third, fourth and fifth parties off the 
ballot,” DeRosa said.

By state law, a petitioning candidate must gather the signatures of 5 
percent of statewide registered voters to be eligible for a national 
election.

Green Party officials planned to get around the problem by forming a slate. 
That way, with numerous candidates on a single ticket, it would be easier to 
canvas for signatures.

Andy Derr, a local party member who ran for City Council, said they plan to 
have citywide candidates in place by mid-June, and statewide candidates in 
place some time after November's local elections.


© The Day Publishing Co., 2005