Hi fellow Greens, I'm here in Milwaukee, in between the Presidential Candidate Forum and the CA Delegation Meeting and wanted to share this with you. I met Austin King and Louie Mercer from Madison, Wisconsin. Austin is a 23- year old Alderman, elected when he was 21 by running on raising the minimum wage. He beat his opponent 2-1 even though he was outspent by nearly 3-1. It didn't hurt that his opponent was 32 ("an old fogy"), not a Badger, and wanted to raise taxes on beer kegs! http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/council/District08/index.html Austin is one of several people I've met here who are genuinely concerned about Peter Camejo's decision to run with Ralph Nader on an Independent/Reform/Green/ Left ticket. Austin said that "Nader is the reason why I'm in politics," but believes that our choice of a candidate this weekend is ultimately a referendum on the party. Are we a political party or an advocacy group? Austin believes the answer is that we are a party, and for this reason should support Cobb as our candidate, and oppose a move to give Nader/Camejo our endorsement. There will be two ballots cast to select our nominee. I'd bet that most votes on the first ballot will go to Cobb or Nader/Camejo, but neither will get a majority. What happens on the second ballot is anyone's guess. Will those who voted NOTA or for other candidates pick Cobb or Nader? Austin is now working to form a bloc of voters who: * support David Cobb, NOTA or are uncommitted * want to defeat Bush in November * support a safe state strategy His proposal is that we coordinate our efforts and vote as a bloc, to whom we're bound on the first and for Cobb on the second. I'd like your thoughts and promise to pass them along to other delegates in attendance who aren't checking their email. I've posted some audio from tonight's presidential candidate forum. From top to bottom, you'll hear Salzman, Mesplay, Camejo and Cobb. http://www.testpattern.org/sanfrancisco Peace, Dan