McKinney Speaks Out About Tonight’s “Nader Debate”
Cynthia McKinney released a video statement (below) regarding the “Third Party” Debate scheduled for tonight. In an accompanying statement, further details emerge:
LOS ANGELES – Green Party Presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney released a statement this morning regarding the hastily scheduled debate announced for this evening in Washington D.C.
The event scheduled for this evening was organized Monday by Christina Tobin of Free and Equal; details were announced yesterday (October 21). Tobin was Ralph Nader’s national ballot access coordinator this year. According to sources, she is on leave from the campaign.
Ms McKinney bristled at the fact that her name was announced when she was not consulted as to her availability; the entire event was presented – time, date, location, format and moderators – as a fait
accompli, with no input from McKinney.Video of her statement is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9V_mpSyGms
and video of her discussing last week’s independent debate at www.breakthematrix.com
is avaiable here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv9rAyp3mOI
Ralph Nader stands alone in his commitment to criminal prosecution of ther corporate crooks and impeachment of Bush. A vote for Nader sends a message to President-elect Obama.
So does a vote for McKinney, who actually issued articles of impeachment against Bush and Cheney while in Congress.
Here’s the real questions. What is both campaigns and its supporters gonna do after the election? How do we come together? Here a suggestsion, how bout a joint press conference between the the mckinney and nader campaign after the elections that says they are committed to building independent political action and 3rd Party movements. a dedication to the people, not to egos and reputations.
How do we build a stronger oppositional movement? When do we put egos aside and find common ground? How do we support one another, instead of attacking one another? When are we gonna talk about that?
Anyone have answers?
I blame this untimely debate fiasco on Bob Barr.
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/10/20/third-party-presidential-debate-cancelled/#comments
The Debating Club (aka Libertarian Party) should have made the third-party debates happen.
Cynthia McKinney is a liar. There is no other way to say it.
“Cynthia McKinney is a liar. There is no other way to say it.” Says one of the debate organizers…
How is she lying? Where in this is she not speaking the truth?
The efforts to put on an all-inclusive debate this year were disastrously inefficient. In 2012 the League of Women Voters should be empowered to schedule and arrange an all inclusive debate.
Or better yet, create a group consisting of representatives from the Green Party, the Constitution Party, the Libertarian Party, and any other political party or Independent campaign that will likely be on the ballot in enough states to theoretically be elected – but NOT the Democrats and Republicans.
Call it, say, the Commission on Presidential Debate.
Have them organize a really cool event, with live music, free food, stellar speakers, etc., with a 90 minute Presidential Debate as the highlight – but INTENTIONALLY EXCLUDE THE DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.
Specify it – “You are NOT invited to this Party of Parties.”
But Some of all Parts has a great point – instead of bitching about the “now”, how about focusing on the future?
What actions can the Green Party take, post election, to remain relevant as an agent of change in America?
Or better, what actions can Greens take, post election…?
Interesting that the two candidates not formerly Members of Congress, nor members of the Corporate Party (either flavor), managed to overcome their schedules (and differences) to actually make a debate happen.
As for the others: old habits die hard, I guess. See y’all in 2012!
Nader and McKinney have debated as well.
Barr has been the only one to duck all debates.
I don’t really understand McKinney’s outburst here. It’s obviously difficult to get everyone’s schedules to meet, but I watched most of this debate and didn’t see anything unusual about the format that McKinney would object to. This objection of hers really didn’t do much for my opinion of her. I actually considered her 2nd on my list of candidates still running (after Nader). Now, there is only Nader. Why would you be picking fights with other third party candidates over debate logistics? Be glad for the coverage and be glad it aired on cspan, the most fair of cable coverage. Perhaps Nader is right and the Green party is now all about infighting and not about moving forward. Sad because I was seriously considering registering as a Green at some point now that I have officially left the Democratic party. Guess I’ll keep my Libertarian registration for now. :-(
“Perhaps Nader is right and the Green party is now all about infighting and not about moving forward.”
I don’t think disagreeing with Nader is a sign of “infighting”. He’s an Independent, not a Green.
But I don’t see this is an attack on Nader. This debate group, let by Nader’s former ballot access person, had issues with the other debate group, led by the Ron Paul money guy at thirdpartyticket.com. As a consequence, neither debate happened.
It is another good reason for a true “Independent Debate Commission” to organize these things, and not plan them two days prior to the event.
Heck, even I had plans on Thursday evening, and I’m not even a candidate.
I understand where you’re coming from, but as an outsider to the logistics of this debate, her statement comes off as an aggressive attack. It seems like this could have been played better. I thought that there were inroads made to have an independent debate organization that started in 2000 or 2004 but it still hasn’t come to fruition. I totally agree there needs to be an independent organization that allows for more than the duopoly. But, in my opinion, this statement didn’t make McKinney look in a positive light.
Good point. I see what you are saying.
But if this amounts to “going negative” for McKinney, we are all doing exceedingly well!
It has appeared to me that the Nader and McKinney campaigns have been very civil, and havn’t been stepping on each other’s toes. I was at Fighting Bob Fest in Wisconsin backstage with both of them (that sweet moment lasted 30 seconds) and Nader (who spoke right before McKinney) in his speech spoke highly of McKinney, and she did the same.
If this is all the tension we get this entire campaign between Nader and McKinney – seriously, I’m happy. I know some Nader supporters will never go Green (or go back to the Greens) but I think some will. In Wisconsin we are already talking with, and working with, some Nader supporters and hopefully we can grow in the states, even if it doesn’t happen nationally.
I hope you come around DebbieKat.
Honestly, of all the formal parties out there, I associate the closest with the Greens, although I do consider myself a civil libertarian (not into the whole free market thing though). I haven’t yet been to any Green events so my view is as an outsider at this point. I just had really high hopes after RP’s press conference that the 3rd party candidates would be more amicable towards each other (not counting Barr of course, cause he’s a weenie).
I think McKinney lost the most by not being in the debate, and Baldwin gained the most by being in it.
The announcer/moderator bloviated endlessly* but Baldwin got to make his points, and McKinney would have as well.
Barr and McKinney both lost out by not being there, but Barr already has more money and media, so it was a bigger loss for McKinney. Likewise, Nader and Baldwin both benefited, but Baldwin benefited more because of his lower name recognition etc.
* See Liveblog
http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2008/10/independent-political-report-will-liveblog-the-free-and-equal-debate-tonight-between-ralph-nader-and-chuck-baldwin/
and video
http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2008/10/video-of-last-nights-presidential-debate-between-ralph-nader-and-chuck-baldwin/
Baldwin may have benefited by being there, and I didn’t catch the entire beginning unfortunately, but I thought he really failed on the illegal immigration discussion. Nader’s answer was so much deeper.
BTW Restore the Republic Radio is putting together a new channel, Left of Liberty, for people like Gravel, Kucinich, and Nader supporters; libertarian minded Greens, left libertarians, etc.
They are looking for radio hosts as well.
Baldwin may have benefited by being there, and I didn’t catch the entire beginning unfortunately, but I thought he really failed on the illegal immigration discussion. Nader’s answer was so much deeper.
I agree, but I also think they were both wrong on that issue. This was one issue where I really wish McKinney had been there.
Is the Republic Radio where gravel’s weekly talks are supposed to be held? Someone posted some info about this supposedly happening weekly on a cable network, but no one ever responded when I asked what channel… Is this a website radio channel?
It’s a website radio channel…go to the IPR links above and read the comments, and some of the other posts at IPR, there is more info there.
Thx!
McKinney really should have taken the opportunity to be on CSPAN. How does she just skip over that debate for such petty reasons? I suspect that there is a lot of jealousy within the McKinney campaign about the fact that Nader is doing so well in the polls while McKinney never breaks 1%.
When we are marginalized so much already we can’t be particular about the media coverage we get, we have to snatch it! McKinney will lose a lot of votes to Nader if she keeps this up.
McKinney could have brought the Green message to thousands of people by participating in this debate. That should always be the highest priority.
Nader and the Greens are so close policy-wise that it’s almost not worth it to look for differences. I really wish McKinney had shown up and ended the debate by saying, “I agree with 99% of what Nader says. The difference is that a vote for me is also a vote for a national political party that will continue to work after November 4th. So if you agree with Ralph, vote Green.”
I’m not really an active green, most left students of my generation have gravitated towards Students for a Democratic Society instead of party politics. however i am a green party member, and i voted for Nader. im excited Cynthia Joined the Green Party and even more excited about rosa, to be honest. I’m disappointed nader and cynthia didn’t run together.
or have cynthia run in 2004 four, i bet she could have pulled 3-7%. With Obama running this historic race, for black and white people, there just wasn’t a political space for Mckinney.
i voted for nader because he seems able to make inroads with voters outside of far left tenancies.
i hope after the election someone calls for a national gathering of the left. imagine if the greens, the nader supporters, peace and freedom and some of the larger socialist groupings and organized a popular front party.
no matter what after this election, folks from different groupings need to get together and decide what to do with the momentum theyve built up. because the road weve been going down the last 10 years hasn’t been working. were not going to start winning elections unless we figure out a new strategy.
“i hope after the election someone calls for a national gathering of the left. imagine if the greens, the nader supporters, peace and freedom and some of the larger socialist groupings and organized a popular front party.”
That could be historic and incredibly beneficial, you make a strong case for it. I wonder if it would be easier to organize than a third party debate, or harder? My guess is harder, particularly if there is no “umbrella” group in a position to bring the groups you mention together. United for Peace and Justice, maybe, but there could be some partisan / non-profit issues there. But who else could? Seriously?
Greens are already asking the “what next?” question even before the election ends. I imagine many are asking that.
Well said will.
We need to stand united.
Nader and McKinney should campaign together and support each others’ campaigns.
I know Rosa has really stresed the importance of this.
I fully support socialists coming into the Green tent; not to mention Democrats, Republicans, independents, and who all else.
However, I strenuously object to the idea of the Greens entering the Socialist tent. There should be no litmus test for being Green other than allegiance to peace, justice, democracy and sustainability – principles that a majority of Americans can agree with today.
Look at the state Green parties that are seeing the most success – California, Illinois, Wisconsin, Maine – and ask: which of these parties grew by forming a popular front with tiny socialist parties?
To put it another way, and actually to paraphrase an active Green friend who is a self-described socialist, “No matter how many fringe groups you appeal to, you will never have a majority.” Peter Camejo, one of the pioneers of the California Greens and a former presidential candidate for the Socialist Worker’s Party, felt the same way: “The Green Party is not socialist or capitalist, it welcomes all who are willing to stand by the ten key values and respect internal democracy.”
Peace, justice, democracy, sustainability – if anybody wants to add to that list, we Greens should have the wisdom to say ‘thanks, but no thanks.’
i dont think the greens need to enter the socialist tent, in fact it would ruin them. they need to be broad enough to reach out to folks, but should still be running socialists and reach out to the little grouping for support.
what i write earlier should not imply that the Greens will be the central force in any kind of coalition, just one of 2-3 major movers and shakers within such an alliance.
we lost any hope of being the umbrella group with our inability to merge the nader and mckinney tickets.
tell Rosa she should organize this shit! i think a lot of people would be down.
Nader’s group, well organized, got a MAJOR event off the ground, which neither the Green Party or McKinney would have been able to do. However, Nader’s camp failed to estimate the inability for an underfunded candidate such as McKinney to hop on a plane to go across the country on a day’s notice. Those tickets are expensive and all sorts of defensiveness could explain the emotion behind McKinney’s response. Maybe, if McKinney could have gotten a free ticket, she could have made it – who knows – just conjecture from an underfunded soul.
A lot of misunderstanding and unnecessary distrust going on between the two groups that is blockading the progressive path. We are all we got people. Better friend than foe.
Below is a statement from Cynthia McKinney on the alternative-party debates.
I urge everyone on this list to consider a vote for McKinney & Clemente on Election Day. A vote for Ralph Nader, an independent, is a valid protest vote against the two-party paradigm but will have minimal effect after Election Day, while a vote for McKinney & Clemente will help build a growing progressive antiwar party. In many states, votes for the Green ticket will help state Green Parties achieve or maintain ballot status. Everywhere, votes for McKinney & Clemente will be an investment in a permanent institutional political alternative to the Dems & Repubs. Ralph is a great man with all the right positions, but elections are not about paying homage to great men. The Green Party will continue beyond 2008 and remains the only hope for changing the corporate-party status quo and the dangerous direction of US politics in the coming years & decades.
Scott McLarty
Media Coordinator
Green Party of the United States
Cynthia McKinney is willing to debate all pres. candidates (Campaign Statement)
From the McKinney-Clemente Power to the People Campaign
Cynthia McKinney Willing to Debate All Candidates
October 30, 2008
Rep. Cynthia McKinney wants to clarify that she is ready and willing to debate all other presidential candidates in the 2008 race. She has already been in debates with independent candidate Ralph Nader twice, and has attended a debate online at which all other candidates failed to appear despite ample notice. She has been consistently excluded from any debate involving Republican and Democratic nominees for president, despite calls for inclusion. Rosa Clemente, her vice-presidential candidate, is similarly willing to debate any other vice-presidential nominee.
In the recent period, associates from other campaigns have been organizing and calling for multi-candidate debates on short notice, without full consultation on date, time, place and ground rules, making it difficult to participate. Today’s independent candidate debate, originally scheduled for Cincinnati, Ohio and moved to a Cleveland, Ohio venue, conflicted with her campaign travel plans in other states. Despite this, McKinney attempted to participate by remote feed, webcam or satellite signal to no avail – the organizers were unable to accommodate any option and apparently at least one other candidate did not agree to include her in tonight’s event.
McKinney and Clemente would like to issue a challenge to all other candidates to organize a debate with pre-consensus on ground rules, date and time before the election, either at a mutually agreed physical location or with multiple remote feeds, conducted by any organization or media outlet that is non-partisan and not tied to a particular campaign. In the coming period she will be in Texas and California.
Contact: John Judge, Press Secretary
McKinney/Clemente 2008
202-584-1021, 240-491-3311 fax
press-secretary@runcynthiarun.org
http://www.runcynthiarun.org