Green Party Presidential candidate David Cobb on KFCF "Green Scene"

Why even put up this charade that David Cobb is running for President. When the official platform is to vote for me in these states but in these key battleground states don’t vote for me but vote for Kerry. WTF is that?
Can anyone name another party ever where they had a candidate running and their official stand is don’t vote for me vote for the other guy?

If the official platform is to endorse Kerry – then I suggest to Mr. Cobb – drop out of the election and redirect those campaign funds to the local candidates so that we can run a real campaign where our objective is to win an election and not to endorse the other guy.

Dear Green No More:

So you don't like Cobb's strategy? "Bush: Four More Years" sounds apealing? I can respect that. To each his own. Hope you find the political home that is the right fit.

The Greens are growing faster than ever. We'll be here for you if you decide to work with us on formulating future strategy.

Best,
Mark

If the fear is from taking votes from Kerry, why even bother running a candidate and just state the official stand of the Green Party is to endorse Kerry for President in ALL States?

Why waste money on this facade of Cobb for President when that money can be better utilized in helping local candidates get elected?

Does this look like the ballot access efforts of a political party that really wants you to vote for Kerry?
http://gpus.org/ballotstatus.html
You might note that Cobb/LaMarche is on the ballot in PA, FL, and OH (pending verification), "battleground states".

I don't believe I have ever heard Cobb tell anyone to "vote for Kerry". Your comments sound more like sour grapes from a Nader 2004 supporter. After Cobb's nomination by the GPUS, my old boss Peter Camejo is running around saying that Nader deserves the Green Party state ballot lines, putting words like "vote for Kerry" in Cobb's mouth. Too bad Greens across the country do not agree with such sectarian, divisive tactics, and Ralph/Peter won't be on the ballot in CA.

Being that I ran the SJ Valley Green 2000 office (refusing to take a salary offered by Nader 2000) and pumped over $10,000 into Nader 2000 from Fresno events I organized (would you like to see the $7,000+ certified check from the October 2000 Tower Theatre event?), perhaps I might have some perspective on fundraising and growing a political party.

Running presidential candidates delivers registered voters, additional funds for party building, and access to partisan ballot lines. People rarely write big checks for local candidates unless they are already established. Many donors will only open up their checkbooks for charismatic candidates at the top of the ticket. Smart local organizations figure out how to capitalize on that.

You may be correct that Cobb has never stated “Vote for Kerry” but from his own website:

“This time around, David is running more heavily in states where the outcome of the vote is predictable, based on history. Green voters in those states can choose David without worrying that they are contributing to returning Bush to the White House. Of course, we are still seeking votes in other states as well, just not as intensely (unless they are required to gain or maintain ballot access, in which case we will be highly assertive).”

Let’s be honest here – while Cobb may or will never say “Vote for Kerry” reading between the lines here from his own website – there is no doubt that he is giving a wink and a nod to vote for Kerry.

As to fund raising, Nader has always been a big draw, especially out here in California. I don’t think Cobb will ever draw the dollars that Nader did. Cobb just doesn’t have the widespread public appeal that Nader did thus I find it hard to believe that his running will “register voters, additional funds for party building, and access to partisan ballot lines” and I would say his impact on these items will be minimal.

I think resources are better spent and used on local candidates who have a better chance of winning and willing to fight to get elected than a national candidate that is running a campaign in states where the “outcome is predictable”. If your goal is strictly to fund raise and bring in voters for the party – I would look elsewhere (like a Matt Gonzales or other events) than using Cobb.

And just to clear some things up I was a Nader supporter and voted for him in 2000 – but I won’t vote for Nader this year. While I respect the fact that unlike in 2000 this year Nader will be running to win, I’ve noticed that Nader has become more about Nader than about the party and that has really turned me off about him. Before he used to be about helping others – lately it seems like he is more about helping himself. I also thought it was wrong to even suggest that Nader/Camejo even put on the ballet – because Nader left the party and not the party left Nader.

Hi Green No More,

Just wanted to say thanks for a good interchange of ideas. Apologies if my last post was a little heated. I agree with many of your points as well. Feel free to email me.

Best,
Mark