August Independent Political Round-Up

Independents Meet with Kucinich
A team of New Hampshire independents met with presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich Saturday night in Bedford, NH at the office of Russ Ouellette , a leader of The Committee for an Independent Voice (NH-CIV). Ouellette and CIV-NH builders Betty Ward and Andre Gibeau sat down with the candidate and his wife Elizabeth to lay out their concerns about partisan control of the political process and to discuss the aims of the independent movement. Kucinich presented his record as one of having fought the political machine of his own party, notably on the Iraq war policy.

The candidate accepted an invitation to participate in an upcoming forum organized by CIV-NH at Alpine Grove in Hollis in mid-October. The meeting with the three New Hampshire independents was arranged by California’s IndependentVoice.org co-chair Jim Mangia, a longtime figure in the independent political movement, who has helped Kucinich shape the pro-democracy, pro-independent thrust of his candidacy. Mangia is guiding Kucinich through a series of sit-downs with independent leaders to better acquaint him with the concerns and political reform agenda of independent voters. Mangia has been influential in persuading Kucinich to reach out to independent voters in open primary states. Last week, the Kucinich campaign issued a press release stating he intends to seek the support of independent voters. The former national secretary of the Reform Party and current President and CEO of St. John’s Well Child Center, Mangia hosted a forum on healthcare in mid-August attended by 250 social service professionals and Kucinich at the acclaimed health clinic in Los Angeles. See excerpts from the gathering on YouTube.

New York City Independent Lenora Fulani Announces Intention to Seek Citywide Office in 2009
Lenora Fulani filed an exploratory committee – The Committee for an Independent New York – and declared her intention to run for citywide office at a press conference on the steps of New York City’s City Hall with over 100 supporters. “In 2001, the people of this city inaugurated a new era of nonpartisan government. With Michael Bloomberg as mayor and with a new sense of independence, the city began to move beyond years of petty politics and clubhouse control. As an early supporter of Bloomberg’s and as a member of the Independence Party which gave him his margin of victory in 2001, I am proud that I campaigned for him.” Fulani filed papers with the New York City Campaign Finance Board authorizing an exploratory committee for a run for citywide office. “I have already spoken with dozens of community leaders, elected officials, clergy, independents, Democrats and Republicans about my intentions and my concerns. I will continue to reach out and to expand the public conversation about a nonpartisan future for our city.” Click here to read her full statement or watch the press conference.

Georgia Radio Host and Former Independent Candidate Helen Blocker-Adams Open Airwaves to Discussion of Black Vote
Helen Blocker-Adams, the host of WNRR 1230 am “People and Issues” and a 2006 independent candidate for the GA state legislature addressed the topic of the 2009 elections and the black vote with special guest Lenora Fulani. “In talking with folks in the community here I find that more and more people are getting the sense that they've been voting for years and years, typically for the Democrats, and staring to realize 'I'm not getting what I should be getting for all those votes' and feeling like there's got to be another way. There's got to be more choices and options." Blocker-Adams received over 30% of the vote as an independent in 2006.


NH Independents extend invitation to Richardson
CIV-NH activist Betty Ward of Concord, NY spoke with candidate Bill Richardson Sunday morning at a gathering at the home of State Senator d’Allesandro. Richardson addressed the group of 60-70 people and included in his remarks recognition of independent voters. Afterwards, Ward introduced herself and her organization of independents to Richardson who beckoned Stan McKenna - the NH political director. Ward briefed McKenna about CIV-NH and they spoke of setting up an additional meeting. Ward also extended an invitation to the Richardson campaign to participate in NH-CIV’s mid-October forum for independents.