Atlanta Government/News • City Contacts • Local Media

From Other Guides-Politics • US Politics: Current Events

Cynthia McKinney on the Web • Green Party • Cynthia McKinney

The latest buzz in Georgia politics is the rumor that controversial Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who recently lost her U.S. congressional seat in a bitter divisive race, will switch from the Democratic Party to the Green Party. With the Green Party's endorsement, she would either be their presidential nominee in the 2004 election, or their VP choice, teamed up with Greens stalwart Ralph Nader as the usual front runner. Top Green Party officials from across the nation worked on McKinney's failed re-election campaign, and were impressed. No official decision has been made by either side yet. But McKinney supposedly is considering becoming an Independent of some kind, as she feels let down by the Democratic Party, and feels their lack of support caused her to lose her congressional seat.

The brash, no holds barred politician doesn't seem to fit the traditional image of the Green Party, and especially seems to be at odds with Ralph Nader, the longtime spokesperson for the group. While certainly McKinney probably has a good voting record on environmental issues due to her being a liberal Democrat, it remains to be seen if she has a deep understanding of complex environmental issues. Also there is the lingering rumors of McKinney's anti-Semitism, as well as McKinney's father, Billy McKinney, who was quoted after his daughter's election loss recently by blaming the "J-E-W-S" for the defeat. Controversial Nation of Islam Leader Louis Farrakhan also stumped for McKinney during the past election. This would fly in the face of the Green Party's dedication to global justice for all.

If the Green Party does embrace Cynthia McKinney to lead their party, it will show one of two things: that the Greens are more out of touch with mainstream America than imagined, or that the Greens are using the McKinney rumor as a clever self promotion tool.