US Greens Select Presidential Candidate

The Green Party of the United States is gearing up for this year's Presidential election in November, and has selected its candidates for president and vice president at its recent convention in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. With a convincing 193.5 votes out of 294, Dr Jill Stein of Massachusetts was endorsed as the Party's candidate, with anti-poverty activist Cheri Honkala as candidate for Vice President.

Dr Jill Stein is a medical doctor and long time environmental activist. She is the co-author of two widely-praised reports,  In Harm's Way: Toxic Threats to Child Development, published in 2000, and Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging, published in 2009. The first of these has been translated into four languages and is used worldwide. The reports promote green local economies, sustainable agriculture, clean power, and freedom from toxic threats.

Dr Stein is basing her candidacy on the Green New Deal, specially adapted for the political, economic and social situation in the United States. She is emphasising the right to healthcare, employment and a fair wage, as well as the need for the US to move to cleaner energy sources and industries.

The USA Green Party is a smaller party compared to the dominant Democratic and Republican Parties, although it can arguably be described as the US' third largest party. Much of the early focus of the campaign will be on gaining ballot access for the Stein/Honkala ticket and in establishing the Greens as the alternative choice for those interested in equality, peace and alternative economics.

Democracy Now, a popular left-leaning radio channel, has interviewed Dr Stein about her candidacy, and the global reach of the Greens.  Find it here in full, including input from Joachim Denkinger, Deputy Secretary General of the Green Group in the European Parliament.

More information:

Jill Stein campaign site: http://www.jillstein.org/victory

Green Party US: http://www.gp.org/index.php