Review of Presidential Candidates - Part Two

Today's review of Presidential candidates will look at two more candidates. Let's get right to it.

Party: Green Party of the United States
Candidate: Cynthia McKinney

The Green Party is on the verge of being a very legitimate party in the U.S. They currently stand with ballot access in twenty-six states and arguably has more potential (longer-term) than any other third party in the U.S. as there is broad international appeal and stories of success. Their platform is summarized in its Ten Key Values. As you would infer from the name of the party, there is the expected focus on environmental issues. But, the Green Party is more about social equality, non-violence and delivering the power to the people. You also may recall that Ralph Nader has previously received the nomination of the Green Party for President.

Cynthia McKinney is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia. She served from 1993-2003 and 2005-2007. She gained a reputation as an outspoken young leader of the Democratic Party. However, she said some unpopular things, and spent a bit too much political capital. Since losing her seat in Congress, she has continued being outspoken - now against the political elite in Washington, Republican and Democrat alike. Now, she has settled in with the Green Party. Her platform shares a lot of similarity with that of her party; however, there is a lot more focus on social and racial justice. She is highly critical of our economic and political systems suggesting they further perpetuate racial inequity and call for reparations for Blacks. She has chosen Rosa Clemente as her running-mate.

I respect many of McKinney's positions and those of the Green Party. Their economic policies, especially those of McKinney, are a certain flavor of socialism; however, this is not the core plank of their platform. But, many of the social justice programs will only be manifest as massive government welfare at the expense of corporations and taxpayers. McKinney has a tendency to be a bit of a conspiracy theorist. I'm not sure if I should write her off as crazy or trust that she understand the dirty inside business in Washington because she's been there. The message of "Power to the People" is a good one, but the McKinney platform doesn't seem to mention decentralization of the government and suggests a deeper system of nationalized welfare. I'm going to pass on her.

Party: Independent
Candidate: Ralph Nader

Mr. Nader is often made fun of for running for President in every election. He is also known by some for costing Al Gore the election in 2000 to George W. Bush. While he has run in every Presidential election since 1996, I strongly believe it is not fair to say he is responsible for putting Bush into office. Running as the Green Party candidate in 1996 and 2000, he moved to run as an independent candidate in both 2004 and now in 2008. He currently has ballot access in twenty-eight states.

Ralph Nader has long been in the public view as a political activist and consumer advocate. On the big political stage of the Presidency, he is most comfortable fighting corporatism and the duopoly of the major parties. Much of his platform is consistent with the Green Party platform. In fact, his platform hasn't changed much at all since 2004 as his website borrows the same text from his 2004 campaign on many of the issues. His VP candidate is Matt Gonzalez.

Nader has broad appeal and superb organization skills as he has established numerous non-profits to push his activist agenda. His campaign website is the best of those reviewed thus far (except for being too lazy to update his positions on many of the issues), and I have no doubt that he could be a strong leader on the domestic front. But, his deep disdain for Corporate America and multi-national companies is bothersome. I know where he is coming from... I do. And I'm sympathetic. But, massive taxation and government regulation will cause a regression in the economy. Nader would expand the "Nanny State" to unimaginable heights. But, I feel his presence on the national stage is important, and his message should be heard. He just won't get my vote.

Part Three is forthcoming and will feature Chuck Baldwin and Bob Barr.