[statecom-discuss] [candidate-development] it's a question of timing

Fri Jan 11 21:20:16 EST 2008

We are in basic agreement about Nader and GP and the debt we owe him. And I
agree that we grew enormously after 96. Though Nader did not get us our
ballot status and only polled about 3% if my memory serves. That depended on
Jill and Jamie's later runs for office. Again we owe a lot to Ralph. But I
have yet to be convinced that we owe him support again in 08. In addition if
my memory is correct Ralph is of coptic Lebanese Christian descent and has
never been widely perceived as an Arab American. I only bring this up
because you raised question in your last sentence about possible Zionist
influence. I dont think that is particularly helpful in Nader's case. I
object strongly to these innuendos about evil forces of Zionisn unless you
can provide more information. The last thing I want is to provoke identity
politics debate and espec the usual slurs on Zionist cause. I can give you
my pedigree if you like--pure Amish-Mennonite for 8 generations. Does that
really tell you anything except that I was fortunate? PLEASE let us avoid
this low level of discussion. Betts in peace.
  -----Original Message-----
  From: John Walsh [mailto:john.walsh at umassmed.edu]
  Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 7:20 PM
  To: Betty H. Zisk
  Cc: gary hicks; Merelice; candidate-development at green-rainbow.org; GRP
ADCOM; Discussion List for StateCom members
  Subject: Re: [candidate-development] it's a question of timing

  Look at the results in 1996 and 2000. Did Nader use the GP or did the GP
use him?
  Before Nader's run in 1996 there was no GP in MA. And we grew enormously
when we hitched our star to Nader's hard won wagon.
  In 2004 when we sided with the Dems (Cobbism, DemoGreens) we lost a lot.
  This may be Ralph's last run - he is almost as old as McCain.
  It is not often that a leader like Ralph comes along in history. Better be
careful how we treat him. And the Dems fear a Green-Nader run like the
plague. That is why the DemoGreens have made common cause with the identity
politicians in our midst to stop him. Funded by the Dems I will bet.
  (In the realm of identity politics, it does not help if you are an
Arab-American like Ralph. Too asexual, too male, too Arab. Are the Zionists
affecting the Identity Politicians here?)
  jw

  On Jan 11, 2008, at 6:00 PM, Betty H. Zisk wrote:

    I heartily endorse Gary's position here. I have believed since I worked
hard
    in collecting Nader signatures in both 1996 and 2000 that he has served
us
    well in bringing us national visibility (and in fact we mutually used
each
    other) but the time has come to put a stop to this nonsense. Nader has
NEVER
    been a Green in the registered sense (and the tale he still tells is a
    deathbed promise to his father on never affiliating with any political
    party). He never adhered to all of the 10KV and when called on it in
2000
    ignored our pleas as a Steering Comm to have a broader party position.
He
    simply ignored us as a national steering committee (I was on that five
    person SC at the time and we had multiple conference calls but no
solutions
    in sight at all.)

    I dont know quite what to do at this pt because I honestly can not
support
    any of the other candidates. But I do want to set the record straight.
We
    have been there, done that before. Betts Zisk PS: I long to take a more
    active part in GRP affairs. I will do so as soon as my health permits. I
    have good news on that score: appt with surgeon three days ago with CT
scan
    as well--declare me all but cured of long struggle with lung cancer. I
just
    need to get my energy back and then I may join with you in those
    interminable statecom meetings. Or maybe not. BZ

    -----Original Message-----
    From: candidate-development-bounces at green-rainbow.org
    [mailto:candidate-development-bounces at green-rainbow.org]On Behalf Of
    gary hicks
    Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 3:39 PM
    To: Merelice; candidate-development at green-rainbow.org; GRP ADCOM;
    Discussion List for StateCom members
    Subject: Re: [candidate-development] it's a question of timing

    merelice:

    now that you asked --------------------

    i would coclude by mr. nader's current political behavor of not being
    definite about his relations with us and california , having a surrogate
    committee [at least one?], not having made a clear statement at least
two
    weeks after he stated he would --------------- that mr. nader is running
for
    president, preferably as an independent, with a green party usa
endorsement
    like four years ago. and that green-rainbow party has been bamboozled
into
    going along with this via the confusion around what had to be done to
get
    green candidates names on our state ballot.

    and yes, it's a question of timing. mr. nader has known and acted on
this
    political tactic all along. have we understood and respected this?

    btw -------------- i will be unable to participate in the teleconference
    this afternoon due to limitations on the time i have free minutes, which
for
    me are 9pm to 7am wekdays and 9pm frridays to 7 pm mondays. i will be
    gatting back to folks to find out what happened later tonight. my phone,
    after 9, is 857-891-2803 if anyone wishes to call.

    have a good meeting. and y'all be nice now!!! :)

    gary hicks, co-chair
    candidate development and legal committee

    Merelice <merelice at gmail.com> wrote:
    Folks,

    If Ralph Nader seeks the Green Party nomination at the July
    presidential primary convention, if he consciously chose to leave his
    name on our primary ballot (and California's), if he is participating
    in the January 13 debate with other Green Party candidates, then what
    conclusion would you come to?

    There are reasons that he has not formally announced. That is not
    something over which we have control. But we do have control over
    whether we choose to ignore obvious signs and other steps taken to
    make our ballot fair and accurate.

    Merelice
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  John V. Walsh, MD
  Professor of Physiology
  University of Massachusetts Medical School
  508-856-3360 (Office)
  508-868-1653 (Cell)
  john.walsh at umassmed.edu