Since 2003, the anti-war movement has grown in size and cohesiveness. Many of these voters have declared themselves frustrated with the Democratic Party, and its complacency in the Iraq War. From this disenfranchisement of so many voters a void has opened, a void which many Green Party candidates are trying to fill.
Congressional races in California will see a plethora of worthy Green candidates challenging the two party duopoly. In California's 29th Congressional District former Mayor of Pasadena Bill Paparian has been endorsed by Danny Bakewell Sr., national Democratic leader and publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel, the largest and oldest black-owned newspaper on the west coast. Mr. Bakewell endorsed Mr. Paparian over pro-war Democrat incumbent Adam Schiff.
In California's 28th Congressional District Green candidate Byron De Lear will bring a progressive point of view to the ballot. Mr. De Lear has been a leading advocate on the push for impeachment of George W Bush for the lies and deception he perpetrated against the American people in the march to war.
Michael Berg brings a fresh face to the anti-war movement, a movement which was largely ignored by the Democratic Party in 2004, with his unwillingness to apologize for his ideals and his ability to hold strong on his convictions. Michael Berg has received wide coverage for his House campaign, in Delaware, and was recently endorsed by antiwar activist Cindy Sheehan. Mr. Berg, the father of Nick Berg, who was taken hostage and murdered in Iraq in May, 2004, marched in the lead contingent of the April 30 antiwar protest in New York City with Ms. Sheehan, Daniel Elsberg, and Rev. Jesse Jackson. On Sunday, May 14, Mr. Berg appeared at a Mother's Day antiwar rally along with Ms. Sheehan and Susan Sarandon on Lafayette Square in front of the White House.
In New York's 3rd Congressional District the complacency with Republican policy shown by the Democrats is blatant. Green candidate Jim Brown is the only candidate, as of this date, to step up and challenge Republican Peter King. Beyond Mr. Brown's strong anti-war credentials he has a long history of working for unions.
Recently, www.Politics1.com honored the Rae Vogeler for U.S. Senate website its 'Site of the Day'. This year Ms. Vogeler has been a prominent member of the anti-war movement which has grown in Wisconsin. Traveling the state to promote a Wisconsin ballot initiative which calls for the withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq, Ms. Vogeler is certainly a candidate the anti-war movement can embrace with open arms.
For information on the 2006 progressive push from the Greens visit: www.gp.org