By Steve Rhodes
Folks, when we talk about change in politics we’re really talking about someone like Rich Whitney, the Green Party’s candidate for governor. That is, if we’re serious and not just posing – or weak-kneed, lily-livered liberals. Whitney’s independence, non-partisan appeal, common sense and humane priorities would be a welcome antidote to the Pat Quinns and Bill Bradys of the world. Would he have trouble governing with Michael Madigan lording over all he sees? Well, who hasn’t? But where does change start? Not with Barack Obama, that’s for sure. I hope you’ve all learned your lesson.
Now, this is not a personal endorsement of Whitney. I’ve never met the man and for all I know he’s a royal goofball. But compared to who? Quinn and Brady comprise the most dreadful pair of candidates the private, corporatized major parties have put forth yet. It’s not getting better folks; it’s getting worse. Much, much worse.
It will be no surprise to regular readers that the Beachwood will, in all likelihood, offer its institutional endorsement of Whitney in our annual voters’ guide, just as it has in the past. My challenge to you is this: What, exactly, is wrong with Whitney?
Would you be more embarrassed to pull the lever for him than Brady or Quinn?
Finally, consider supporting Whitney as a personal little revolt toward the mindless political “coverage” that we continue to get from the glib, gutless geniuses in the media.
Marvel, for example, at Greg Hinz blaming voters for “failing to end Blago-style government” while explaining why he doesn’t cover candidates he decides can’t win.
“I don’t believe in spending much time or ink on folks who have no chance to win,” Hinz writes. “It’s hard enough to get most voters to pay even minimal attention to election races, and I hate to distract them.”
Yes, that would be a shame. Besides the fact that history is littered with candidates whom experts like Hinz thought never had a chance, I hope you can see the circular reasoning here: “Bad voters! Stop putting the same people in office even if those are the only ones I deign to cover!”
And here is Hinz’s fantasyland prescription:
“When candidates come calling this fall, try to look beyond the TV ads and the public personas crafted by paid spinners. Look for answers to the questions that count.
“How do the candidates raise money, and what limits have they imposed on their own fundraising? Have they disclosed and answered questions about their personal finances?
“How will they balance the budget of the office they’re running for? With tax hikes (how much and where) or spending cuts (how much and where)?
“Do the candidates act in a bipartisan manner? Do they have a record of accomplishment? Would you trust them to hold your wallet?”
Okay, I’ve done that. So Brady or Quinn?
Part of my prescription is that the political media give equal coverage to every candidate on the ballot. Wouldn’t that be interesting? Whether millions in the bank or pennies. Treat each candidate equally. Don’t voters deserve that? And isn’t that the journalistic thing to do, rather than the political thing to do? Journalists should not be part of the process; we stand by ourselves outside the system. We should act accordingly.
It would also make journalists who complain about the focus on money, polls and fluff in campaigns less hypocritical for focusing on money, polls and fluff.
With that said, we’ve begun posting here this week press releases from the Whitney campaign to do our little part. Again, we don’t have the resources to vet Whitney the way he ought to be – just like anyone else. We are not blind. We just happen to think he’s an important candidate and easily the best in the field. Hello, Obamaphiles – want real change or still content with the fake kind?
Here, then, is the latest from Whitney.
*
A Personal Plea From Rich Whitney
Dear Friends,
Circumstances force me to be blunt: My campaign is REALLY hurting for money right now. Just when we need to be peaking, so that we can get some radio and cable TV ads and buy yard and window signs, and numerous other essentials, we are instead scraping the bottom of the barrel.
If you have thought of donating to my campaign before but haven’t gotten to it, THIS would be the time to get it done, either at www.whitneyforgov.org or by sending it to “Whitney for Governor” at P.O. Box 3803, Carbondale, IL 62902. If you have already donated or are tapped out, then PLEASE talk to others about helping, or send me names of people I can call – or contact the campaign, at campaignmanager@whitneyforgov.org, to find out other ways in which you can help. We still need people to help organize dinners, house parties, music fundraisers or other fundraising events. Thus far, supporters have not followed through on such basic fundraising efforts as expected. I can’t do it all, and you can’t wait for the “campaign” to do it all. The campaign is US, collectively. I need people to step up to the plate and take some initiative.
To keep the carbon footprint down, I can arrange to “appear” at your house party or other gathering by Skype or phone, but I will also come out to your area if we can plan it to coincide with my campaign appearances. But either way, we need people to get these things OFF THE GROUND, ASAP.
If you have not yet joined my campaign page, please do so. If you have already joined, then please send invitations to your friends so we can build our numbers there.
It absolutely kills me to go through Chicago and listen to a wealthy vanity candidate like Scott Lee Cohen inundate the airwaves with his radio ads, and coat the streets with his yard signs, when he has absolutely nothing of substance to say – while I have plenty of substance to say, and yet am struggling to get my message OUT to where people can HEAR it, or see it.
Please: DON’T DELAY, DON’T STAY ON THE BENCH ANY LONGER. NOW is the time to GET IN THE GAME and help me win this thing! We have the best platform. We have the best message. I can and will beat the other candidates in debate. But the best platform in the world cannot win an election if the people don’t hear about it.
Friends, I need your help. Don’t do it for me. Do it for yourselves, for the future of Illinois, for the future of progressive Green politics in America. Please help out the Whitney for Governor campaign TODAY.
Thank you for whatever you can do.
Rich Whitney
Green Party candidate for Governor of Illinois
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Previously:
* Whitney: Fair Taxes For All
* Whitney: Abolish Secret Lottery
Posted on September 17, 2010