PUNDITS nationwide complain about the American electorate's apathy. Maybe it's because inspiration for one-liners has virtually disappeared with Ross Perot. But GrUVA, this University's Green Party, is anything but apathetic.
Greens at the University and across the nation have mobilized Americans who would not otherwise participate in the political process to become Ralph Nader voters. Yet it's obvious Nader can't win this election. So Greens must begin finding ways to keep new voters' energy from fizzling out by channeling it into a larger strategy.
Gore operatives across the nation argue - incorrectly - that a vote for Nader is a vote for Bush. It is true that in some states - such as Washington and Oregon - Nader's support is similar to the difference between Gore and Bush. But this statistic assumes that Nader voters would vote Democrat in a two-party race. Nationwide, only about 25 percent of Nader voters are normally Democratic voters ("Third Party, Mainstream Hopes," The New York Times, Oct. 26).
This holds true at the University as well. GrUVA president Chris Adino contends that most of their members drawn in by Nader had never voted before and weren't planning to vote at all before they became Nader supporters. Instead, GrUVA has become "a melting pot of progressive people" at the University.
These students are passionate about issues, but disillusioned with the Democratic Party's treatment of them. Bringing these students into the electoral process invigorates politics by bringing them to the ballot box.
Additionally, Virginia is a state where the electoral vote outcome is basically decided. Every major poll has consistently shown a massive Bush lead - to the point that Al Gore has virtually ignored Virginia, like Texas. In this case, Nader supporters who believe Gore is a lesser evil than Bush can vote knowing that they won't change the outcome itself but will make their voices heard, which is not a "throwaway" vote.
It does little good, however, for Greens to mobilize for this election if the energy will dissipate soon afterwards. Greens need to channel the interests of their members to ensure that the interest expressed on ballots continues to be heard in subsequent elections.
Contrary to popular belief, the Greens are not a single-issue environmental party. According to Adino, although the Greens are consistently pro-environment, they have a list of 10 priorities, which are unranked. Greens here tend to be most interested in lowering education costs, implementing universal health care, and justice in international trade.
Yet the group does not have a firm strategy for action after the election. Adino says that because the group was just revived this year after lying dormant, the Nader campaign has naturally takes precedence.
It's great to bring new people in, but a program for action is needed to uphold momentum. Greens across the state have political agendas that should interest nonaligned progressives at the University. Adino cites a Roanoke group's efforts to increase protected wilderness areas, as well as initiatives to promote statehood for Washington, D.C.
Moreover, Greens have a more immediate way to effect change: through state government. Greens will need to begin organizing petition drives in the near future to put their party on the ballot in 2001. Health care will remain an important issue after the election, and Greens can use this issue to show that their party continues to be relevant to voters' concerns.
Gore supporters contend that voting for their candidate is the last chance for leftist voters for four years. Yet this ignores the importance of midterm elections. On both the state and national level, partisan margins are and will continue to be extremely close. Both Greens and liberal Democrats could use this to their advantage in a Bush presidency, but only if they remain focused.
The resurgence of Greens at this University has succeeded in mobilizing disillusioned citizens. Their dedication refutes the idea that young people who refuse to vote for Republicans or Democrats don't care about their future. However, Nader's candidacy is less about winning this year than about setting the stage for long-term reform. To remain true to this vision, GrUVA must stop focusing exclusively on Nov. 7 and start writing a wish list for the future.
(Elizabeth Managan's column appears Mondays in The Cavalier Daily.)
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