Vice Presidential candidate Matt Gonzalez.
Photo by Luke Thomas
By Luke Thomas
March 17, 2008
Fog City Journal attended a Peace Vigil yesterday held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in San Francisco. The event, headlined as “Iraq: 5 Years Too Many,” included a keynote address by independent Vice-Presidential candidate Matt Gonzalez.
Following the event, FCJ was availed an opporunity to speak with Gonzalez and ask him about his campaign with running mate, Presidential candidate Ralph Nader.
FCJ: How was your visit to your home state, Texas and what was the purpose of the trip?
Gonzalez: “The Texas trip was pre-planned and we’ve discussed with some people there about trying to get on the ballot there, but Texas has a requirement that anybody that voted in the primary can’t sign a petition to put an independent (candidate) on the ballot.
“There are a number of states that don’t enforce their restriction, but there are three that I cited in the press release that you got that that do enforce it. One of those states, I think Richard Winger later commented on was not a actually a state that had that (ballot access) restriction, but actually is if the Green Party gets on the ballot, and then it becomes a prohibition to be a member of that party and run as an independent.”
FCJ: Are you planning to attend the Green Party Convention in Chicago?
Gonzalez: “No, I didn’t have an intention of going to the convention. I was there four years ago and I’ve been active, but even before I got into this I wasn’t planning on going.”
FCJ: How’s the fundraising effort going?
Gonzalez: “That’s a good question. You know, most of it has been online and I think running as a vice-presidential candidate is actually fantastic because it’s not your campaign per se. I mean, it is, but it isn’t. You kind of ride sidecar to somebody else and you’re trying to plug into a system, more than anything, that articulates their views. And this particular effort I’ve seen myself more playing that role. So I don’t see myself as a separate website, I don’t see myself as a separate fundraising aparatus.”
FCJ: What are the prospects of the Nader/Gonazlez ticket participating in national debates after the Democrats, Republicans and Greens have selected their presidential nominees? Do you think the Nader/Gonzalez ticket will be invited to particpate?
Gonzalez: “I think so even if we’re not allowed into your typical debates of the major networks. Now that you’ve got the Youtube debates, you’ve got these alternative debates that have been more inclusive. I think that that’s a pretty good sign. It will be more interesting than it has ever been before.”
FCJ: What can be done differently this time to encourage major networks to invite you and Nader to debate on the national stage?
Gonzalez: “Well, I think there’s a couple of things. One is, I think we’ll have stronger poll numbers but, alternatively, because there are alternative media outlets that are going to host debates, I think that’s how we’ll get into them.”
Luke Thomas
Luke Thomas is a former software developer and computer consultant who proudly hails from London, England. In 2001, Thomas took a yearlong sabbatical to travel and develop a photographic portfolio. Upon his return to the US, Thomas studied photojournalism to pursue a career in journalism. In 2004, Thomas worked for several neighborhood newspapers in San Francisco before accepting a partnership agreement with the SanFranciscoSentinel.com, a news website formerly covering local, state and national politics. In September 2006, Thomas launched FogCityJournal.com. The BBC, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, New York Times, Der Spiegel, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Magazine, 7x7, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Bay Guardian and the San Francisco Weekly, among other publications and news outlets, have published his work. Thomas is a member of the Freelance Unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, TNG-CWA Local 39521 and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
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The Hunger Site
March 18, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I trust everyone will be equally supportive of including Cynthia McKinney in all debates. It is ‘interesting’ to note that despite having announced her candidacy as a “Green” months ago, none of the TV.MSM, have given her air time, wheras the day of Nader’s announcement he was on “Meet the Press”, CNN, various other corporate media outlets, and C-SPAN.
It remains to be seen whether or not Nader/Gonzalez are truly committed to a free, fair and open political process for all candidates and will publicly take a position condemning the national media’s marginalising of Cynthia, in much the same way our local media demeaned and marginalised another progressive black female in our recent mayoral election farce, or whether they are just concerned with their own access and representation.
Patrick Monk.RN. Noe Valley
March 18, 2008 at 7:32 am
If they are on the ballot, then they have to be in the debates. If not, then the country is a two-party dictatorship incapable of offering a democratic election. Obama/Clinton/McCain fear Nader/Gonzalez!
March 17, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Take their issues-take their votes. Keeping Nader-Gonzalez out of the debates will not keep their positions on the war and the domestic travail of millions of Americans out of the minds and hearts of American voters.
March 17, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I think Nader/Gonzalez should be included in the national debates. I think their fundraising capabilities, eventual ballot lines, and unique platforms (i.e. slash the bloated military budget, enact an aggressive earth-friendly energy plan, ban U.S. sanctioned torture, etc.) deserve to be heard demand attention. And after all, this is America–land of choices, free speech, and the honorable exchange of ideas. Nader and Gonzalez’s voices should be heard.
Please visit http://www.VoteNader.org for more information.