November 5th, 2008 by Ronald Hardy · Green Party Watch
I think I share with many other Greens a deep sense of appreciation toward Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente for taking on one of the toughest jobs in America. They both spoke about building a movement, and I don’t think that work ended last night on Nov. 4. The political landscape has changed, and the Green Party will need to adapt to this new landscape and pursue new opportunities and leave old barriers behind us.
I am sure that there are many who might feel disappointed in these results, but I have to ask if you are really all that surprised by them? Cynthia McKinney was the only major candidate left off of CNN’s radar, and what “main stream media” coverage she did get (Washington Post, FoxNews) were hit pieces meant to further discredit the campaign. Cynthia McKinney is a 6 term Congresswoman with more experience in government than Obama, but she got less coverage than Chuck Baldwin, a radio minister. Wayne Allyn Root got more coverage than Cynthia McKinney. Why? Why the Blackout? It can’t be because she is an African American, can it? It can’t be because she is a woman, can it? Was it her message? Was it her lack of money?
However, I am not depressed by the outcome. The results of the Presidential election are of course disappointing, but on the other hand, over 150,000 Americans, of those who even had the opportunity, voted for Cynthia McKinney, despite the lack of coverage, despite the ballot access, and despite the politics of fear.
Congratulations to everyone who voted for the Green Party for sticking with your values and your beliefs.
