DougR - I did catch Nader on Hardball and was fairly impressed with his answer to one question raised by a student "What's next for the Green party". There was no posturing about the election not being lost yet, or anything like that. Instead, he answered the question (what a change from the other guys). He said, in essence that the Greens become a watchdog party, build strength in states and local politics and make sure that whoever is elected is held accountable to someone between now and the next election.

I missed Donohue, but felt that Ralph N.was quite passionate. There is no way he can drop out without betraying his beliefs, and he was clear about that. Personally, regardless of who wins on Tuesday (and I still think Gore is the best man running this year), I am going to look into the Green movement.

On a related note, check out the latest issue of the Utne Reader. There is a pretty interesting series of articles about the grass roots movements in this country. Something is indeed happening that could change this country. But it's never going to start with an election. Real change has to take place in the populace. Then we will elect leaders who are able to institutionalize it. Change has to have ROOTS, or it can get washed away in the inevitable reactionary wave.

When will we get passed the "cult of personality" mentality?

Pax vobiscum
Bart