[statecom] Statement from the Nader campaign

[Yarden]

Jim,
The following is not intended to be anything other than informative.

Firstly, your source, Mike Richardson is someone who I would regard on  
the basis of the information that I have been given as  reliable source.

Secondly, I have for a long time believed that only people who have  
developed understanding and commitments to Green Party principles  
should be candidates for public office.  But I did anticipate the  
present situation when I submitted a proposal, that was adopted by a  
State Committee consensus, that only such people would be considered  
for placement on the GRP primary ballot.

Thirdly, Mr. Nader's name would never have appeared on our ballot, had  
there not been people in the leadership of the GRP who wished to have  
his name placed on the ballot.  (No names were placed on the State  
ballot except by the express wishes of candidates, or by local  
supporters.)

Fourthly, it is very unlikely that Mr. Nader's name could have been  
placed on the primary ballot, had there not been a Green Party  
draftNader Campaign Committee, chaired by Howie Hawkins of New York.

Fifthly, the draftNader campaign duly recognized as legitimate by the  
GPUS.

Lastly, Nader's name was listed as a candidate because he, knowing  
that his name had been placed on our ballot, did not ask to have his  
name removed from our ballot.

While I may find it strange that the party should go seeking for  
people outside the party for candidates, this has been a long term  
problem that results from confusion about our principles, goals, and  
strategies at the federal level.  If anything 'grassroots' should mean  
starting where you are.

Thus, and not by way of justification, but rather to suggest that the  
problem that you seek to address is one of the current state of  
political consciousness in the electorate and in the national party,  
rather than something peculiar to Massachusetts.  If you are seeking  
understanding you might begin working on an explanation of the fact  
that Mr. Nader, at this late date of his non-candidacy does not  
prevent the voting of delegates from Green Parties in other states,  
three of which I know had open Green Party primaries.  California,  
Massachusetts, Illinois (Hawkins stand-in) as well as other states  
such as Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Virginia, and Wisconsin,  
which have fewer people voting, better communication with those who  
participate in selection of delegates, caucuses, mail ballots,  
conventions, etc.

I find it strange, and can explain it only by observing that an  
unfortunately large number of Green Party members are given to using  
the Green Party as a place to vote their wishes and fantasies, and  
pretend that they too can participate in the behaviors normal to the  
competitive leaderships of the 'majors.'  What, in your view, will aid  
the development of the  critical scrutiny of our own behaviors?



On May 21, 2008, at 5:35 PM, Jim Hammerman wrote:

> Dear StateCom,
> I've spent a substantial amount of time talking with folks at the  
> Nader
> campaign about Mr. Nader's status in relation to the Green party
> nomination. They are clear that Mr. Nader's statements in the press  
> make
> very clear his status and don't think further clarification is  
> required.
> I'm attaching the letter I received from Mike Richardson describing  
> the
> campaign's position on this. I hope this helps us move forward.
> All the best,
> Jim Hammerman
>
> ------
> Jim!
>
> As we discussed on the phone, Ralph Nader is not and has never been a
> candidate for the 2008 Green Party nomination.  Mr. Nader has already
> announced his decision to not seek the Green nomination in a news  
> release
> earlier this year that you are familiar with.  Here in Massachusetts  
> we
> are preparing an "unenrolled" petition for an independent ballot  
> line in
> November.  Any Green-Rainbow Party member interested in helping Ralph
> Nader appear on the Massachusetts ballot may be directed to me for
> petition circulation information.
>
> Mike Richardson
> Ballot Access Coordinator
> _______________________________________________
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