Green Party’s candidate makes pitch

David Cobb said Sunday that he isn’t a spoiler.

Over and over, as about 25 people questioned him in Coeur d’Alene Park in Browne’s Addition, the Green Party presidential candidate urged people to support him and his party rather than voting for Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry because of a desire to oust President Bush. Some people have credited Bush’s victory in the 2000 race to former Green candidate Ralph Nader, who received 3 percent of the popular vote.

“I believe the only way to change this country is to have the courage and vision to vote for what you want,” Cobb said.

Cobb will be on Washington’s general election ballot in November, and is trying to gather the 10,000 signatures necessary to qualify for Idaho’s ballot.

Earlier in the day Cobb spoke in Coeur d’Alene.

Even though the White House is likely out of reach this year, Cobb said he’s working hard to build the growing Green Party.

“The Green Party is getting bigger, stronger and more organized with every election,” he said.

In 1986, just 10 states had official Green Party organizations, and just 40 Green Party members had been elected to public office. Today 44 states have Green Party groups and more than 200 Green Party candidates have been elected, he said.

Cobb told the group in Spokane that he favors universal health care, ending the war in Iraq, developing renewable, clean energy sources and a living wage.

He also spoke in favor of an instant runoff system in which voters could prioritize their choices for each office rather than just voting for one candidate.

“If you want those things, you’ve got to be willing to vote for a party with that agenda,” Cobb said.

Some in the Browne’s Addition crowd were Green Party members. One woman sat and knit green socks as Cobb spoke.

“There is that anybody-but-Bush and the people who hold the misguided belief that we spoiled Al Gore’s run for office,” said Green Party member Jim Green of the reaction he gets when talking to people about Cobb.

But Green said he stands firmly behind the values that Cobb does: democracy, protecting the environment, social justice and peace.

Others at the rally were Democrats.

“I’m not changing my vote,” said Jan Baker, chair of the 3rd Legislative District’s Democratic committee and a Kerry supporter. “I’m just curious.”

“I wanted to come because I’m sick of the two-party system,” said Dick Carson, who added that he has historically voted Republican.

Cobb received the most applause from the group when he called for the poor and middle classes to unite against the wealthy.

“No more super-rich. It’s time for some good, old-fashioned class warfare,” he said.

Cobb, a Texas attorney, has worked for the Green Party on campaigns and has previously run for Texas attorney general.

He isn’t your typical presidential candidate.

Sunday’s rally featured no motorcade, no bevy of security agents.

Cobb stays at supporters’ homes rather than in hotels and has visited more than 40 states on about $45,000.

The meeting lasted until it became too dark to see anymore.

Even then, the engaged crowd continued to pepper Cobb with questions.

Those who would like to meet Cobb can attend a reception for him tonight from 6-8 at the Community Building, 35 W. Main.