GUEST:
Your criticism of the 'top down' philosophy is flawed. In fact, I think you have it backwards. The only efficient/effective way for a new party to grow is from the city/county level up. It's a fact of life that a presidential election wants millions in donations, thousands of volunteers, and very careful organizing. The Greens are not ready. They may be ready when/if they get 20% of the Congress and the state governors. Or not.

It's a long time since any committed liberal saw the presidential election as anything but a do-or-die proposition. Don't expect sympathy for an idea that's likely to give us four more years of bush. If you're truly serious, support local Green candidates. Run for office yourself. But stop trying to split the liberal vote where it matters most.