Proposal Number 004-08
1. Date proposed 4/1/08
Name of the sponsors:
Tanya Ishikawa, Adams/Jefferson Chapter Secretary
Claire Ryder, Denver Metro Chapter
Tom Kelly, Green Party of Colorado State Co-Chair
Art Goodtimes, San Miguel Greens
2. Title:
Proposal to Publicly Announce that Buddy Moore is not a Green
Candidate for any office, and Request Buddy Moore not Identify himself as a
Green Party-supported candidate
3. Text of the actual Proposal:
The Green Party of Colorado officially denies any support of Buddy Moore as a candidate for any public office in 2008. The Green Party of Colorado requests Moore, his representatives and any other individuals or organizations not to identify Moore as an official Green Party candidate for any public office in 2008.
4. Background:
The Green Party of Colorado has not endorsed or approved Buddy Moore as a candidate for any office. Moore was in fact voted down as a Green candidate at the Adams-Jefferson Green Party local vetting committee meeting on March 6. Further, Denver Metro Green Party members refused to consider Moore’s candidacy due to the Adams-Jefferson action. Though Moore may eventually be invited to speak in consideration of his candidacy as a Green at the state meeting, until that time and only if he is approved at that point by the state meeting, Moore is not a Green candidate for anything. Even if he attempts to petition on to the ballot as a Green candidate, he will be an independent Green, not supported by the party.
Buddy Moore first announced to a Green Party assembly his intentions to run as a Green candidate on Feb. 6. This was after seeking Democratic approval to run as a Senate candidate and being denied. According to news reports, he also has sought a Republication nomination recently. Moore is a candidate of opportunity who merely seeks ballot access from any party that will accept him, so he can promote his narrow ideas on a very limited national platform, and does not support all Green Values nor promote them or actively seek to understand and develop a campaign platform with them.
Moore’s potential candidacy has been confusing and divisive for the Green Party of Colorado, due to different interpretations of the state by-laws and the Colorado statutes. His approach individually to different Greens around the state, seeking any kind of support after being denied by others, has also caused divisions. When he learns that a chapter or individual does not support him, he becomes upset and obstinate to the point of being abusive and childish.
The Green Party state council passed a related resolution in March, clarifying that Moore is not qualified as a Green candidate.
5. Justification/Goals:
See Above.
Also, the Green Party of Colorado has a locally-approved candidate for the same seat that Moore seeks. Bob Kinsey has been a longtime Green and has stated his intentions to run several months before his actual appearance at a vetting committee. Kinsey has a strong background for a Green candidate, understands and loves the Green values and continues to be reasonable in the face of an unreasonable situation created by Moore.
6. Pros:
1) Announcing Moore’s actual current status with the Green Party would make official a state party decision about his candidacy so it would become policy, approved according to party rules, so we could continue with other business.
2) Announcing Moore’s actual current status with the Green Party would provide Moore with a final resolution about the issue, so he could stop promoting himself as a Green candidate (as he requested we do before he would stop).
3) Announcing Moore’s actual current status with the Green Party would give a clear message to the news media, other political parties, the secretary of state, and others.
4) Announcing Moore’s actual current status with the Green Party will uphold the 10 Green values of grassroots democracy, future focus, diversity, and all others, because it would recognize the rights of locals to make decisions about candidates from their areas, plus it would disallow a candidate who does not actively support or understand the Green values.
7. Cons:
1) Announcing Moore’s actual current status with the Green Party might attract undue attention to the issue.
2) Announcing Moore’s actual current status with the Green Party may spur legal action by Moore.
3) Announcing Moore’s actual current status with the Green Party may appear wishy-washy if it is followed up by a proposal that gives him the right to be considered as a candidate later this year, or if he is given a chance to speak as a candidate at the state convention.
8. Estimate of Fiscal Impact:
No fiscal impact expected, unless Moore sues the Green Party of Colorado. Even in this case, the party could seek pro bono representation or choose to represent itself in court. Communication of the announcement would be through e-mail and phone and free methods, unless the proposal is otherwise amended to include news ads.
9. Alternatives to the proposal:
1) Make no announcement, but request Moore stop identifying himself as such.
2) Make the announcement, but do not request Moore stop identifying himself as such.
3) Do not do either the announcement or the request.
4) Amend the proposal with some reference to the May 3 state convention action.