ABOUT FIRST READ

First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



OMG: Cynthia McKinney for prez?

Posted: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 10:18 AM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Julia Steers and Mark Murray
Former Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D), who lost her congressional seat last year after her publicized scuffle with a Capitol Hill police officer, registered to vote in California -- and is being pushed by some to run for president as a Green Party candidate, the AP reports. Despite McKinney posting a letter on her Web site last month, saying she is not interested in the Green Party nomination, a group called "Run! Cynthia! Run!" is trying to draft her as a candidate in California. McKinney and six other Green Party candidates, including Ralph Nader were nominated by the Green Party Convention in September, and McKinney has yet to remove her name from the ballot.

"'She's got us all guessing, but she hasn't removed her name, and that's a good sign,' said John Morton, a California Green Party delegate, 'I talked to her last week and she said she's very interested but not ready to make an announcement.'"

MAIN PAGE

Email this EMAIL THIS

Comments

Pat:

maybe this one time i should take my word back....

You have Hillary Clinton, that's punishment enough..
"but for Nader, Gore would've won all those votes and Florida and the 2000 election"
Actually, he did win enough votes.  The recount took place even after the Supreme Court told them to stop.  Gore won.  He's the only fully elected President who never served as one...  Harrison's and Garfield's too-short tenures notwithstanding.  Others have won the popular vote and not become President, but Gore also won the Electoral College.  Stolen Election!
Instead of posting hate messages based on a superficial read of a brief, superficial story on what is basically a superficial news site, why not actually ask someone in the Green Party of California who supports McKinney WHY there is so much support for her within the Green Party?  These are, for the most part, well-educated & politically experienced people. You can find out the way they think (if you actually want to go beyond anonymous name-calling) at websites such as Dissident Voice, Counterpunch, and Green Commons.

As for Nader and Florida, my questions are: (1) Why not blame David McReynolds, Monica Moorehead, or any of the other left wing 3rd party candidates who were on the Florida ballot in 2000 and got more votes than the difference between Bush and Gore?  Why doesn't anyone who thinks he or she knows all there is to know about politics ever say "Monica Moorehead cost us the election?" (2) Why doesn't anyone in the Democratic Party ever bother to seek out Green Party supporters in Florida and ask them why they voted the way they did?  No one held a gun to anybody's head and demanded that he or she vote for Nader, who earned whatever votes he got the hard way, and deserved many more than he got. (3) Why doesn't anyone ever blame the between 100,000 and 200,000 REGISTERED DEMOCRATS in Florida who, according to exit polls, voted for George Bush in 2000?  FAR more Democrats in Florida voted for Bush than for Nader.  (4) When are Democrats going to help change the system by supporting creative efforts such as Instant Runoff Voting instead of whining about people who want to exercise their rights within a system that is so clearly in NEED of change?

Greens are not Democrats and are not sympathetic to Democratic Party whining. Instead of being baffled that that is the case, I suggest you follow the old adage and first seek to understand, THEN seek to be understood.
AS IN LIFE THERE IS SOME ONE FOR EVERY ONE. IF CYNTHIA IS NOT FOR YOU THEN WHY DISCUSS IT.MOST IMPORTANT WHAT HAVE ANY OF YOU DONE FOR A CHILD OR
A PERSON IN NEED IN YOUR COMMUNITY LATELY.IN FACT
WHAT ABOUT THE BRAVE MENS FAMILY FIGHTING IN THE WAR.
RIGHT OR WRONG THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE, TRYING TO
MAKE THIS COUNTRY BETTER BY NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO PEOPLE WHO JUST TALK A GOOD GAME.I LIKE A PERSON WHO
MAKES A MISTAKE TRYING TO MAKE US A BETTER COUNTRY
THAN ONE WHO THINKS EVERY THING IS FINE IN THERE WORLD. I GUESS WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THERE.
         AMERICA IS THE PEOPLE IN IT
The Congressional Black Caucus loves this girl.  If it wasn't for Obama (if he's Black enough) she probably would get some significant support.
Wow, this is shocking and I am sure giving her a big head.  The only worst person that could be named is my Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee.  We need to get together in North Houston and vote out Sheila Jackson-Lee.
Mike from LA... are you serious?  If you don't think Gore would have been a better president than W, then you are an idiot.  And you should still be kicking yourself for the way you voted in 2000.
Mike from LA... are you serious?  If you don't think Gore would have been a better president than W, then you haven't been paying attention the last 7 years.  And you should still be kicking yourself for the way you voted in 2000.
Actually can care less about all this stuff...George Lucas is developing a Star Wars Spinoff for TV...all is right in the world again.
I feel really sorry for the Green Party if they are suggesting putting Cynthia McKinney up for election. They've lost their everlovin' minds!!!  Now if they wanted to put her on a label as a mascot- say a wild donkey or something, she'd perform well.  I am passionate about the environment, but that's the fastest way to undo all the hard work Al Gore has put into bringing this issue to the forefront of American consciousness.  As for her registering to vote in CA, GOOD.  She's gone from Atlanta.  May she never come back! ...simply mindblowing...
Hey folks, Maybe we could get a Jeb Bush/Mckinney ticket going and they can finish us off. Think about it the Bush thieves will handle the treasury and Mckinney will be in charge of the nukes, priceless
Richard .. Nobody deserves to be smeared that is gutter politics at it's worst. It is Karl Rove's stock in trade.
The big question is:  Will Cynthia McKinney vote in California AND Georgia in 2008?
Anyone who lived in Atlanta knows just how nuts this person is. Plus why hasn't anyone brought up the fact that she was a pawn for the middle easterners who funded her campaigns.
As a black woman, this lady is an absolute embarassment to me. I can't believe she has even the smallest sliver of support; but you never know. If you find one nut, search a little harder, you'll find two or three more.
Racism, bigotry, hate filled speech, that is what some of you are saying about Cynthia;

How about the pure hatered you have for OUR president, yes the nations president. Just because you libs are stilled pissed he won you cannot objectivly view anything good he has done.

I sure as hell dont want another Clinton in the White House or anyone else who believes tossing money at all our problems will cure the worlds ills.

Thankfully we do have republicans who care about more than self intrest groups.

Al Gore gets the Nobel Peace Prize, what a joke!  
Richard: Heck.  I bet she runs for office in both CA and GA!
With her typical racist slant on all things, she'll no doubt turn the "Green" Party into the  "Black & Brown" Party.
Mike of L.A. Look at the net result of voting for Nader. Instead of having a 20-year champion of the environment who has made global warming his passion, we now have global warming deniers making government policy and known polluters being let off the hook by EPA. Another great Bush initiative was drilling in Anbar. If it weren't for those Democrats you are deriding, the Alaska Wildlife Refuge would be turned into our newest cesspool by Exxon (who never paid the fine for the Valdez) and Shell. Nader should have been out campaigning for Gore, not running against him.
Someone please make this woman go away
As mentioned by other commentators, I don't think McKinney's downfall had anything to do with being an outspoken African American woman.  Here in Houston, I have the privelege to be represented by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.  She is one of the most independent and outspoken women that I have ever heard speak, but she does so in a respectful and reasoned manner that is appropriate for her position as a U.S. representative.  

As for the Green Party:  I firmly believe that one should always vote for the candidate that they feel will do the best job, regardless of whether or not that person is "electable".  However, even if she might do better than the joke that we currently have in the Whitehouse, I find it hard to believe that anyone would think McKinney has the qualifications or the temperament to be the President of the United States.
I would vote for Cynthia Mckinney as quick as I would  Hillary and Bill !!!
why am I wasting my time submitting this e-mail to this non-entity?  Cynthia McKinney-who cares!
At the end of the day, it will be up to the voters to decide. Voters have many reasons to cast their votes.  The name calling is just childish. Let's see what happens in 08. Anything, anyone is better than what we have now. If she wants to handle the mess Bush will leave behind, more power to her.
Having lived in the Atlanta area while she "served"
in Congress, I felt a type of personal shame that she "represented" us.
I know that in the history of Congress there have been many "duds", but she certainly should be in the top of the list when picking worthless representatives.  The origianl thoughts she did have
(few and far in between)were often so out-there that I often questioned her sanity. The truly sad thing is that this pathetic woman is still able to generate media coverage...go figure!
Rufus:  

Just saying that in-kind responses (responses, not uninvited attacks, I agree with you there)to people like Cynthia McKinney are justified.  She expects them because she incites them.  It's her method of politics and always has been.  She gets what she deserves.

As for Karl Rove, it constantly surprises me how much Democrats and liberals seem to have learned from him.

Go home Cynthia and don't even think about it.You don't have a snow balls chance. Get real and don't go there.We have had enough republicans ruining this country.
Smeared?  A "uniter"???  Give me a break.  The only smearing that went down was what she did to herself.  A "uniter" - please!  She "united" a bunch of thug bodyguards (which she obviously needed).  Does no one remember her incredible, insincere apology on the floor of congress????  Guess she did that cause she was being "smeared" due to her so called political stance.  She's not political.  She's a narcissistic lunatic and California is the perfect place for her.  Once she changes the name of the Green party to the Black party I wonder what they'll do then.
If you’re through laughing, dig this:
Despite McKinney posting a letter on her Web site last month, saying she is not interested in the Green Party nomination, a group called “Run! Cynthia! Run!” is trying to draft her as
Smeared?  A "uniter"???  Give me a break.  The only smearing that went down was what she did to herself.  A "uniter" - please!  She "united" a bunch of thug bodyguards (which she obviously needed).  Does no one remember her incredible, insincere apology on the floor of congress????  Guess she did that cause she was being "smeared" due to her so called political stance.  She's not political.  She's a narcissistic lunatic and California is the perfect place for her.  Once she changes the name of the Green party to the Black party I wonder what they'll do then.
Thank god for California!
Oy! Thats scary! Cynthia mckinney is a Paranoid whack job! Just listen to her speak! Ignore here skin color and just listen to her speak and look at the expression on her face!?! I had a dog that got electricuted that has the same dull, vacant look in its eyes as this woman. You can almost see the back of her skull reflected back at you.. then again look at President bush...She should have been the VP!!!lol!
This is America, and as a War Veteran I fought for her right to run for President, just like I did for the current President too ( I'm sorry to say).  But it's funny to me how quick we are to bad mouth people. Cynthia McKinney wouldn't be an worst of a President than the one we have now. Trust me, so shut up, grow up and get over it. Her mistake was she called this President on the carpet about his real reason for this so called "War" before anybody else did.  And for that she isn't liked.  There are people out there who would think you too would be a poor choice for President. Maybe had we as citizens of the great nation had taken the time to look at his past as close as you are looking at Cynthia McKinney's past he wouldn't be the leader for the greatest Nation on earth.
Unqualified, hateful, dilusional. Need I provide more reasons for her not to run?
I live in her former district - when people around the Country ask me why I am a Republican, I just have to mention that she was our Representative.  
Comments above about Cynthia Ann McKinney must have been learned through the media.  Any person who has heard her speak or knows about her legislative record in Congress knows she is someone who is not afraid of the greedy old-boys and girls network which has ruined this nation with its war for energy
I've lived under madam mckinney's rule here in Atlanta.  I would not wish her upon anyone in this country.  Thank goodness I moved out of her district.

Remember, when she lost back in 2002, I think it was, her father blamed the Jews - the J  E  W  S  - the Jews for her loss, rather than her accepting that maybe her constituents wouldn't want her.  Why should I want someone in office who's a Jew-hater and more?  Oh, and I voted for her opponent, who turned out to be a better person though a 1-term wonder.
This woman is certifiable...dissapointed that these 3rd parties do not take their nominees serious.
I'm an African American professional female and I WOULD NOT vote for Cynthia McKinney...This is not a racial issue or a character assassination.  It's just that Ms. McKinney's political motivations and results have proven that she does not represent the best interest of all people, including her own.
This is America, and as a War Veteran I fought for her right to run for President, just like I did for the current President too ( I'm sorry to say).  But it's funny to me how quick we are to bad mouth people. Cynthia McKinney wouldn't be an worst of a President than the one we have now. Trust me, so shut up, grow up and get over it. Her mistake was she called this President on the carpet about his real reason for this so called "War" before anybody else did.  And for that she isn't liked.  There are people out there who would think you too would be a poor choice for President. Maybe had we as citizens of the great nation had taken the time to look at his past as close as you are looking at Cynthia McKinney's past he wouldn't be the leader for the greatest Nation on earth.
Keith (Sent Wednesday, October 17, 2007 1:45 PM)

Mr. Olbermann, as an employee of MSNBC you shouldn't be making posts here.
This on the heels of Gore winning the Nobel.  So much for momentum.
This is America, and as a War Veteran I fought for her right to run for President, just like I did for the current President too ( I'm sorry to say).  But it's funny to me how quick we are to bad mouth people. Cynthia McKinney wouldn't be an worst of a President than the one we have now. Trust me, so shut up, grow up and get over it. Her mistake was she called this President on the carpet about his real reason for this so called "War" before anybody else did.  And for that she isn't liked.  There are people out there who would think you too would be a poor choice for President. Maybe had we as citizens of the great nation had taken the time to look at his past as close as you are looking at Cynthia McKinney's past he wouldn't be the leader for the greatest Nation on earth.

Keith (Sent Wednesday, October 17, 2007 1:45 PM)

Yeah Right...And I'm Donald Trump.... Your probably some little whimp 40 yrs old and still living with momma.
She ought to run with David Duke.  We could all use a good laugh
I agree with whomever "Keith" is on principle and I give her credit for her outspoken position against Bush long before anyone else. But her boldness does not validate her competancy. Unfortunately it's true..we should've taken that in consideration in 2000 as well. My issue is that these third parties fail to make serious efforts to recruit good representatives so the public at large begin to take them seriously (Ron Paul is a start..problem is he is GOP isntead of libertarian)...not just naysayers and grandstanders. It would help break the rediculous 2 party gridlock that the baby boomers have created.
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!  This woman is a nut case.  You cannot be serious.  We are all just glad she is gone, out of the public eye.  We don't have to see her crazy "rolling eyes" and crazy running mouth anymore.
I was in DC one day when Cynthia was still in office and literally bumped into her on the street near the Capital....she yelled at me and said "why don't you watch were you walk [anti white explitive]!"  Therefore, all the negative comments about her are well founded.
Sorry to disappoint you, Jerry, but even this far left wingnut doesn't want anything to do with Cynthia.

She could start WWIII just by slapping the president of a country that didn't agree with something she said or did.
This woman spoke up against the war and was ridiculed; now look at the mess we're in for generations to come.  It's a shame the stupidity that exists in USA

All these negative comments by these rats following King George and the rest of the perverts, murderers, theives, etc.. off the cliff.... too stupid to realize their fate
  I think Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro work for Karl Rove, and the Republican party. They are the young republican's that will not publish writing that excuse Bush and Cheney for wrong doing.
 I wrote earlier that it will probably be better, then what we have now for a president and vice president. You are the ones why this country is the way it is now. Little rich kids that mommy and daddy spend alot of money to go to college.    
 
Dr Paul Cured My Apathy:  You wrote, "Actually, he did win enough votes.  The recount took place even after the Supreme Court told them to stop.  Gore won."

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you are incorrect.  Most of the studies that were done, be it by the Miami Herald, USA Today or National Opinion Research Center, concluded that under the most liberal standards for vote-counting, Gore would have won.  This means dimpled chads and chads detached only at one corner.  The more stringent the standards, the worse he would do in a recount.  


SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=415598

First Read e-mail alerts


Sign up for First Read alerts
The first place for key political news and analysis

Syndicate This Site

Add First Read to your news reader:
live.com xml
myyahoo msn
bloglines newsgator
google