{news} Should we publish an Open letter to Nader to run for Senate?

[timmckee at mail.com]

This letter comes from Scott McClarty- the GP national press spokesperson- i wouldlike people resones by phone (860) 778-1304 or by email to thebiggreenpicture at gamil.com
(new email address)
Tim McKee

Hi Tim
Why not publish an open letter to Ralph urging him to run on the GP's ballot line?  The letter should list arguments for & advantages of running Green.
Ralph should be challenged on his preference, since 2004, for running as an independent.  An independent campaign does nothing to interfere with two-party rule.  John Anderson's independent campaign in 1980 had no effect on the two-party status quo.  Even a victory has only a limited effect.  Bernie Sanders casts lots of correct votes in the  US Senate, but the fact that he's an independent doesn't undermine the dominance of the Dems & Repubs.
On the other hand, a Green elected to Congress would help establish the GP as a permanent noncorporate alternative party, in Connecticut & throughout the US.  His leadership would open the door for other Green victories in congressional & other races, proving that Greens have the power to win.  The effect of Ralph's run would be felt for decades.
Ralph has objections to running as a Green that should be addressed.  Some of his objections are personal (solipsistic, in my opinion) and have to do with his own preferences.  But he also has some complaints against the GP that can be discussed.
One of his complaints is that Greens are squeamish about raising money.  The Conn. GP might pledge to raise a certain amount (collecting the names of people vowing to contribute) to be used for the Nader campaign if he decides to run as a Green.  If he doesn't run as a Green, he doesn't get the money.
The Connecticut race, if Ralph decides to compete, can either be about building a permanent party in Conn. & the US that rejects corporate money & influence, or it can be about Ralph Nader's political career.  If Ralph runs as an independent and Greens support his campaign, the GP will remain eclipsed.  If he wins as an independent, the message will be that the GP is irrelevant.
We need to have the confidence in the GP's potential as a growing party to demand that a candidate who seeks our support run on a Green ballot line.  If we don't have that confidence, we should fold up our tents & disappear into the night.  Ralph himself has in the past complained that Greens don't have enough faith in their own party, one of the reasons he ran for the White House as an independent in 2004 & 2008.  Let's prove him wrong this time.

Scott 


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Tim McKee, New Britian, CT, main number cell-860
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