I would support Belafonte/Glover in 2008, let me tell you why...

[IndyOp]

Because I think Harry Belafonte would make an EXCELLENT POTUS. (If you think he is only a singer, you've been missing his work on behalf of the United Nations, children, Africa, the poor, and you've been missing his recent courageous statements about the state of the US. Do you know anyone else who has had the courage to call Colin Powell a 'house negro' on mainstream TV? TTP to the max!)

I am very disappointed that the DU discussion of the MMM seems to have gotten stuck in a debate about one man. What about the 100,000's of CITIZENS who were on the Mall yesterday? The ISSUES raised? The DIVERSITY of speakers? (What should we be talking about, IMO? African Americans Protest Inequality Black Commentator Perspective)

Some DU posts have been defensive, suggesting that the MMM will be responsible for CAUSING division of the Dem party and potentially causing 'us' to lose in 2006.

The MMM is REVEALING deep, long-festering wounds, not causing them. If places at the Dem table are prepared for them, the AfAm political community is more than capable enough to think strategically about working with/using the power of the Dems -- provided the Dems snap out of their trance and LISTEN to the people! That is what the MMM is about. We should be grateful that the MMM may help us create real unity and a real chance to win.

Read this letter in Support of the Movement in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast --

At this point, there is a need for a united front between movement people on the ground and what is left of the progressive tendencies within the Democratic Party. We are not strong enough to go it alone; they are not strong enough to fundamentally challenge the Republicans and the Right. Our job is to build our own independence politically, to enter into united fronts with forces to confront Bush and the far right, and to come out of every alliance and coalition with a stronger independent political base.

This united front with the Democrats, under certain circumstances, does not at all preclude independent and third party initiatives, as a way to build the independence and power of a more radical movement not tied to the Democrat's right wing or its endless and elusive pursuit oand prioritization of the most reactionary and racist white voters. The exiting possibility of a Harry Belafonte/Danny Glover Third Party presidential ticket in 2008 (both a serious proposal and a symbol of the type of ticket required) would offer an option that could force Democrats to fight for the Black, Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, and progressive white vote. It would offer an alternative to the disgraceful behavior of the Gore and Kerry campaigns, in which Blacks and Latinos were told to be seen and not heard.

New Orleans and the Gulf Coast offer an historic opportunity to build more unity in the movement, to drive the national and international discourse to the left, to offer to help a beleaguered Black community that is still the most consistently progressive force in the country, and to help reconstruct and new Reconstruction - from the bottom up.

Do the Dems want to grow and hold onto the power of the AfAm community? They had better LISTEN and ACT FAST!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. the fact that only 2% of African Americans support Bush

according to recent polls tells me that they are apparently the only group that has figured out what is going on in this country. And I agree that if the Dems don't start speaking out soon, they will lose votes to a strong third party contendor like Harry Belfonte.

[IndyOp]

2. I have been relieved to see the 2% number this past week -

immediately post-Katrina the approval ratings among African Americans were still in the 30% range. I was shocked when I saw 30% -- 2% is much, much more appropriate.

:kick:

[leesa]

3. While I have no problem with either person,this country is far too bigoted

to support such a ticket.

[crispini]

4. Tell me more about the Belafonte / Glover ticket.

There's only that one sentence at your link. Are the two parties named both interested, or is this sort of a hypothetical? Also, why not a prominent member of the Congressional Black Caucus? Jesse Jackson Jr., John Conyers, maybe Maxine Waters? I have no problem with putting "starpower" on the ticket but I'd like to see an experienced politician in at least one of the positions. Or is that part of the appeal of this proposed ticket? (I'm sorry, I will confess upfront I haven't read the entire link but I did glance over it and the answers to my questions didn't jump out at me....)

[IndyOp]

5. My support for a Belafonte/Glover ticket is mostly symbolic at this time -

I would love to see John Conyers or Maxine Waters on the ticket.

Right now - the point was made yesterday by speakers at MMM - AfAm's have taxation without representation.

The Gore & Kerry campaigns (according to the author at the post above) treated people of color shamefully -- they were allowed to be seen but not heard. Virtually the only representation they had in the race was Al Sharpton - and the media regularly skipped over him during media events.

Maybe the only way to break out of this insanity is to find the most qualified people of color and have progressives and people of color who want this country back PUSH their ticket so far that the Dems MUST alter their platform to accommodate everyone.

[crispini]

7. I really hope there is a prominant credible African American Dem candidate

in the 2008 race. I would be so happy to support that person! I liked Al Sharpton for the pithy things he said but he was never really taken seriously. How about Jesse Jackson Jr., do you think he is ready to run? I have heard him speak and he is wonderful! Maybe we should draft him.

[kath]

6. Only in the USA are ACTORS considered to be qualified for high level

government office. Haven't we learned enough from the likes of Reagan, Ahnuld, etc.?
:eyes:

[IndyOp]

8. Most actors are liberal - most actors have high IQs - 130's -

and most smart people are liberals. The GOP has been picking the actors that will act for them - Raygun and Ahnuld. If an actor stepped up - self-selected - and spoke TTP I would be okay with that. Even though I am anti-cult-of-personality.

Mike Farrell or Alan Alda from MASH or George Clooney (Three Kings) would not be bad. I would really, really, really prefer Noam Chomsky or Congressman John Conyers - but at this point I will take anyone who is NOT a puppet of right-wing emperialists.

:(