Green Group endorses David Cobb for President!

[mzmolly]

A Green friend of mine sent me this. Though she voted for Nader in 2000, she is hoping that Cobb gets the GP nomination this time round.

Cobb will not run in *swing states* and seems to be a pragmatic candidate. He is dedicated to building his party, and defeating George Bush.

* What a wonderful choice for Greens who don't want to build their party, yet want to defeat Bush at the same time!

http://www.greensforimpact.com/doc/wdc.cfm

"V. Dedicated to Defeating Bush

David Cobb sees his campaign as a mechanism by which to forward the growth of the GPUS, but to do so in a way that is sustainable and in a way that forwards a progressive agenda -- both by raising issues that might otherwise receive less attention, and by conducting his effort in a manner that is unlikely to contribute to the re-election of George W. Bush.

And, as such, Cobb has announced that if nominated, he will not aggressively campaign in states that are most likely to be highly contested come fall.

David Cobb is running more heavily in states that are considered to be "safe," which is to say that the outcome of the vote is predictable, based on history and polling. Green voters in those states can safely choose David Cobb without worrying that their votes could make the difference between electing Bush and electing Kerry.

VI. Cobb vs. Alternatives

We believe that David Cobb's candidacy deserves our support above that of Ralph Nader. We also assert that running a candidate, as opposed to running none at all, is in the interest of the GPUS and also in the interest of the progressive movement more generally, so long as that candidate's campaign is conducted in a strategic manner. As our current electoral system is structured, Greens must run national and statewide candidates in order to maintain ballot lines and funding. Failure to do so will cripple the growth of the party and make future bids by local candidates extremely difficult.

It is of course the case that David Cobb is without widespread name recognition, and that this means that he his less likely to amass large numbers of supporters and votes than is Ralph Nader. Greens for Impact believes it is more important to field a candidate committed to working with the party's grassroots and with a record of being a team player. In fact, continued GPUS association with Nader would serve to further blur whatever distinction the public at large continues to recognize between Nader himself and the Green Party. The success of a movement or party that is built around a particular individual will ebb and flow with the popularity, health, and drive of the person at the helm. We need only to look so far as the rise and fall of the last American third party of note -- Ross Perot's Reform Party -- to recognize the danger that would lie in furthering the perception that the GPUS is the party of Ralph Nader, that he is the Party's "leader."

Why not Ralph? See here:

http://www.greensforimpact.com/doc/wnn.cfm

CONTRIBUTE TO DAVID COBB HERE - and lets get his name out there!!!

http://www.votecobb.org/

The Green Party deserves a real choice and a truly committed progressive. Seems Ralph want's to steal Cobbs *talk/agenda of defeating Bush, without really strategizing/intending to help do so

[lovedems]

1. So is it safe to say that Nader picking Camejo will backfire on both

Nader and Camejo? Will the Green Party turn their backs on both of them?

This gives me a hell of alot of respect for the Green Party and a hell of alot more respect for David Cobb.

[mzmolly]

2. It remains to be seen who the Party will endorse. But at least Cobb

is putting his money where his mouth is. Nader is a self absorbed wind bag. Cobb, a true progressive *who is committed to defeating Bush*

I think we progressives have to MAKE this happen though. We need to support Cobb as much as we can. ;)

[lovedems]

3. "Self absorbed wing bag"

You are to kind! :)

[mzmolly]

4. Oh, I've got more ... much more ...

:evilgrin:

[mzmolly]

5. Greens for impact, thoughts on Kerry ...

While John Kerry does not agree with us on all issues, we must be mindful of the fact that though Kerry’s positions and record on Iraq, fair trade, and corporate welfare are not ideal, his stances on many of these issues are preferable to, though not directly opposite those of George W. Bush. In addition, we must bear in mind that these are not the only issues about which progressives care. The fact John Kerry has supported public financing of campaigns, believes in a woman’s right to choose, is against the death penalty, and has a near-perfect voting record with the NAACP, the Sierra Club, and the AFL-CIO, indicates that a Kerry presidency would be a vast improvement over that of George W. Bush in at least several key areas. For working families, racial and ethnic minorities, women, union members, GLBT and other groups, George W. Bush’s policies have had real and long-term negative consequences on the quality of their lives that cannot be ignored. John Kerry offers the real chance to roll back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, while restoring social spending needed by our nation's poor, as he has pledged to do. While these subjugated groups would greatly benefit from the election of more progressive independent and third party candidates, John Kerry is the only left-of-center candidate who can realistically defeat Bush in November. That voters have so few choices of candidates who can actually win is an unfortunate consequence of our electoral rules, but it is nonetheless true.

http://www.greensforimpact.com/doc/wjk.cfm

http://www.changein04.com/mainContent/bvsk.php

[welshTerrier2]

11. great website !!!

thanks for posting this, mzmolly ...

the impact statement is exactly the kind of inter-party cooperation DU'ers should be encouraging ...

let's hope this is representative of how most Greens will vote in November ...

[mzmolly]

13. Sure and I agree. I think Cobb will help unite progressives. Nader is

dividing the GP, and he's not even a member. :crazy:

[flpoljunkie]

6. USA Today reported today that Cobb has 240 delegates to Camejo's 114...

plus Ralph Nader's 64. If these votes hold up, David Cobb will win the Green Party nomination, and deservedly so.

[mzmolly]

7. I sure hope so. He'd really be a win win for progressives.

:hi:

[dansolo]

14. I have more respect for Cobb

Than either Nader or Camejo. Cobb is doing what Nader should have done after 2000, working on the grassroots. It was bad enough that Nader ran as the Green party candidate without even being a member, but he basically abandoned them after the election, only to show up again four years later expecting them to welcome him with open arms.

[mzmolly]

15. I agree. I think Greens are feeling used by him, and rightfully so.

He's totally uninvolved in their party, but want's the endorsement come election time? Sorry Nader, Cobb is paying his dues and he is a real progressive choice.

I have immense respect for Cobb.

[GreenInNC]

8. I'm a delegate for Cobb

NC voted 81% for Cobb, Nader was not even nominated at our state convention.

David is a true progressive who knows what it is like to be a part of the underclass. He grew up in a house without indoor plumbing and worked construction after high school to save money for college and law school.

He will probably get the nomination on the third round of voting. Lots of Greens are really pissed off at Nader right now.

[mzmolly]

9. Thanks for the info. I think progressives who've *lived* in the world of

the underclass, understand the importance of pragmatism before idealism. At least I think most do? ;)

I am donating to Cobbs campaign ... and may volunteer as well.

Nader, I fear may split the Green Party if he doesn't watch it.

[GreenInNC]

10. he already is

splitting the party. I am afraid that he has his cult of personality within the party. We have already had two states threaten to pull out of the party because it looks like they will not get their way at our convention.

[mzmolly]

12. Oh my - I am so sorry to hear that!

:(

I really grow more angry with him daily ... It seems he's on a mission of mass destruction?!