A Green Letter to Ralph Nader

by Ben Manski
Originally published in Newtopia Magazine.

Last month you announced your independent run for the Presidency. Terry McAullife, Bill Richardson, and Al Sharpton called you names. The news media overflowed with speculation about your intentions. Welcome to the race!

Greens know that you intend to run as an independent. At the same time, the Greens are preparing to field a presidential candidate. Nonetheless, we have reasons to welcome your participation in this presidential election.

Greens believe that voting rights are meaningless if the voters are not faced with distinct, often difficult choices. We value the fact that your participation will allow millions of Americans to think seriously about their vote.

Greens strongly opposed the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, the "PATRIOT Act", the Free Trade Area of the Americas, No Child Left Behind, and most other policies of the Bush administration. Senator Kerry was not with us in opposing these policies. You were.

Greens are committed to election reforms such as Instant Runoff Voting (IRV), Proportional Representation (PR), public financing of elections, and banning corporate involvement in elections. Building the Green Party is one of the surest ways to accomplish these reforms. In the words of Frederick Douglass, another third party pioneer, "Power concedes nothing without demand. It never did and it never will."

For these reasons and more we welcome your entry to the race. At the same time, the Green Party is preparing to support a presidential ticket this year.

Seven candidates are currently running in the Green primaries: Sheila Bilyeau, Peter Camejo, David Cobb, Paul Glover, Kent Mesplay, Carol Miller, and Lorna Salzman. For the first time in Green history, our members are engaged in a real debate regarding our presidential ticket. "Who should be our nominee?" "What is our central message in 2004?"

Another question many people, not just Greens, are asking is, "Why is Ralph Nader not one of the options?"

You have already partially answered that question, pointing out that the Green National Convention will take place in late June. Because of restrictive and unfair ballot access laws, you cannot wait until June to kick-start your campaign; you have to begin now. We understand that. We also understand that you have always been a registered independent.

This said, we're not sure what you want from us. Some of your closest advisors have said that you intend to build a new force, perhaps even a new party, with the intent of appealing more to independent voters and conservatives. Others have publicly stated that you would welcome the support of the Green Party of the United States at our convention in June. Which is it? You are the only person who can give a definitive answer.

Much rides on your response. The Green Party faces some of the same ballot access hurdles you face. Your challenge is to get on the ballot in 50 states plus D.C.. The Greens are already on the ballot in 23 states, including toughies like California and Michigan, but we're short 28 ballot lines ourselves. We intend to get on those ballots as well.

Because the establishment parties wrote the ballot access laws, they never had to meet these hurdles. Because we do, and you do, many Greens are asking, "Why isn't Nader running with us?"

Similarly, the Green presidential primaries are underway. The delegate count for the Green National Convention in Milwaukee is emerging. Greens everywhere are making up their minds about who to vote for. Many are asking, "Is Nader in or out?"

The Greens have grown tremendously since 2000. Our membership nearly doubled, to over 300,000. We hold twice as many ballot lines on which to run candidates. 46 states are home to state Green parties. More than twice as many Greens are serving in elective office, numbering today 205, leading living wage, civil rights, anti-war, environmental, and other campaigns with their government action.

Were it not for your presidential campaign in 2000, it's beyond doubtful that the Greens would have grown so much. What will 2004 bring?

The Green Party will almost certainly support a presidential ticket in 2004. You could be that candidate. The decision is up to Green Party members, and the convention delegates they elect. And it is up to you.

Thank you, and good luck. There's a planet that needs saving.

Ben Manski is a Co-Chair of the Green Party of the United States.

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