On April 24, peace activist Cindy Sheehan began her drive to collect 10,198 valid signatures, to get on the ballot as an independent candidate for U.S. House in San Francisco. She garnered considerable publicity; see here for the San Francisco Chronicle story.
California has one of the strictest laws in the nation for independent candidates for U.S. House. No one has qualified for that office as an independent since 1996, when Steven Wheeler qualified in the 22nd district (Monterey area). Sheehan had an alternate path to the November ballot. She could have been a write-in candidate in the Green Party’s primary, or the Peace & Freedom Party primary. She would have needed 1,847 write-ins to win either of those nominations (she couldn’t appear on either of those parties’ primary ballot because of her prior registration history). She chose the independent petition method, either because she perceived it is easier, or because she is more comfortable as an Independent than as a Green or Peace & Freedom nominee.
I’ve already sent her $25, if it catches fire it’ll be an interesting campaign. I suspect she is running as an independent in part because of the alter mentioned reason in the post, but also I think she supports truly anti war progressives running as Dems against Dem hawks?
Please mail me information on how to help Cindy Sheehan get her signatures. I would like to sign on with her.
Here is her campaign site’s URL for anyone that is interested: http://www.cindyforcongress.org/
Mr.Nader was very supportive of her during her activsm several years ago. Here’s hoping that support will continue during her independent run at the U.S House Seat.
I spoke personally with Ms. Sheehan when she was in Charlotte last fall. Her words to me were “I’m done with political parties.”
I think she and Mr. Nader both have such a strong desire to see their message undiluted by being part of a joint effort that they prefer the independent route. In addition, I think both of them and most other people get disappointed when the parties have some of the same problems the two corporate parties have, like dominating personalities, dis-honest or manipulative people and personalities only a mother could love, and they decide that they don’t feel like associating with such folks. If they are employees you can fire then, but if they are fellow party members you can only adapt to the reality that all groups have problems and problem people, or take your marbles home.
Mrs. Sheehan is noble and fine soul.
Every American owes her thanks for her work for peace.
She is however a first time candidate. Meaning everyone running for office has a lot to learn. Especially the first few times.
Her choice to NOT run as Green Party candidate was rookie mistake.
Getting all those signatures will be difficult, if not impossible. It was cost thousands of dollars to pay petition gathering folks. And she might still fail to get on ballot.
Either way she’ll learn. And hopefully run again as Green Party candidate
The phrase “run again as Green candidate”!
Run again —-as Hreen candidate?
Run again, and once again, as Green candidate?
Hmmmmm. California PFP and Greens as victims of their own bobbling, hobbled histories? Neither has a veterans platform or program. Kiss a truck of votes good bye every election!
Ah the legendary mishaps of nominating prisoners for president and being so disorganized as to mess up a ‘two vehicle parade’! Smart Cindy, smart!
Addendum One: http://www.reformpartyusa.us
Addendum Two: http://www.constinessword.com
Addendum Three: http://www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org
Addendum Four: http://www.apf.org [American Peace Flag]
Addendum Five: http://www.calvets.blogspot.com
[Citizens For A Better Veterans Home]