Green Party Watch

Well, last week I interviewed Richard Carroll. As mentioned in an earlier post, I was unable to get the system to work properly, and the show was almost unlistenable. Some brave souls did though, so I decided there was enough interest that I needed to fix the problem.

I learned how to edit my audio a little bit and the result is a new version of my interview with Richard, and this one is better for sure. You can listen to the new version by clicking here

The most popular show so far was my interview with kat swift. To listen to that one, simply click here.

Today’s program featured Holly Hart, GPUS national Secretary. We talked about Iowa, her run for Lt. Governor, ballot access and so much more. You can listen to that program by visiting this “featured” show.

I learned from the editing process. I learned that I talk too much and don’t add a lot. I’m getting better folks. Soon hopefully all you’ll hear from me is “Our guest today is…” followed by thirty minutes on them talking about things that interest you.

My interview with Richard Carroll, Green candidate in the 39th House District in Arkansas, was just that; confused and filled with problems.

I re-booted my computer before the show, as I always do, and called in. Once the show began I talked for a couple of minutes when I saw that Richard was on the line. I wrapped and hit the button to un-mute Richard…and nothing happened. The little hourglass started to twirl where my cursor should be and nothing. Not a word could I hear. I tried to have Richard call me back. Nothing. So I signed off, re-booted my computer again, shut down the other two computers in the room thinking that they might somehow be involved, and called Richard on my cell phone. read more »

Richard Carroll has agreed to be my guest this Sunday on Green Party Watch Radio. Carroll is running for the 39th State House seat in Arkansas. It is possible that he will be the only candidate on the ballot since the Democratic Party in that state has changed party rules in an attempt to keep their nominee off the ballot.

Carroll is a 30 year veteran Union Organizer and has served in office at two different locals of the Boilermaker’s Union He is a self described “green Green”, as in new Green, but said in a brief interview today that he believes in the Green Party’s values and is looking forward to learning more about the Green Party and our members.

The program will air live Sunday at 3 PM East Coast time and will be archived at Blog Talk Radio for those who prefer to listen later.

According to Ballot Access News, the Arkansas Democratic Party adopted a new policy on the 19th which would dis-allow anyone who had resigned a public office as part of a plea bargain from running as the Democratic nominee in a general election. This is a boost to the Green nominee, Richard Carroll, because his only competition on the November ballot is a former member of the legislature who resigned his post as part of a plea bargain in his prosecution for sexually assaulting a 17 year old girl.

Carroll, who is a boilermaker and has been a leader in the boilermaker’s union for 30 years, still faces opposition from a write-in campaign being run by the Democratic leadership, but with Carroll’s name being the only one on the ballot, he has a better than average shot at victory.

Green Party Watch will continue to report on progress in Carroll’s race.

Richard Carroll, the man on the Green Party ticket challenging Democrat Dwayne Dobbins in Arkansas for State House district 39, is getting some press, and isn’t afraid to make it clear why he is running and where he thinks his base is:

Carroll is not a natural Green, but he said the opportunity to appear on the ballot, rather than as a write-in candidate as he had discussed with the Democratic Party, was too good to pass up. “I looked over their Ten Points of Value and told them I didn’t have a problem with them,” said Carroll of the state Green Party platform. “I don’t have to agree wholly with every one. My base is basically Democratic.”

Dwayne Dobbins plead guilty in 2005 of improperly touching a 17 year old girl.

Richard Carroll may be the first Green elected to Arkansas’ state House. So says a leader of that state’s Democratic Party. Seems that the Democratic nominee for a north Little Rock seat has a conviction for misdemeanor harassment after pleading guilty to same after being accused of improper behavior by a seventeen year old girl. In this article the Morning News reports that House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Harrelson, D-Texarkana believes that this could be the ticket to electing the state’s first Green.

In fact, this piece at Arkansas News Bureau indicates that state legislators may refuse to seat Democrat Dwayne Dobbins in the event he wins the race come November.

In an interesting side note, Jay Parks of Cottage Home Grown points out that Greens in Indianapolis, Indiana may have a similar opportunity, as District 15 Council woman Doris Minton-McNeill now faces two misdemeanor charges, including assaulting an officer and resisting arrest.