Unfiltered: Green Party Press Conference - Chicago Public Radio

The 2006 Green Party candidate for Illinois governor, Rich Whitney, hosts a press conference with other Greens to talk about its plans for the convention along with the challenges facing the party.

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Day Two of the Green Party National Convention

The big event for today isn’t until this evening when the party’s presidential candidates hold a forum.

WHITNEY: One of the things I’m gonna do is let people know, I am preparing for a run in 2010. Whether I officially enter the race will have to be decided later.

Last night, Whitney hosted a fundraiser for his campaign with fellow Greens who are in Chicago for the party’s national convention.

That’s exactly what he should be saying and doing if he’s “planning to run unless something unforeseen happens in the meantime”.

And from The Tribune’s Swamp we learn the Green Party is having the same problem paying for their national convention that the Democratic Party is having, although Rick Pearson doesn’t mention that in his article. Probably not one of his favorite assignments.

Green Party: Red ink in Chicago bash - The Swamp

What is it with political reporters in Illinois being more cynical about “other” candidates than they are about the establishment candidates that are obviously dysfunctional in Illinois, to say the least? Oh yeah, “other” candidates start out crippled by election laws that make them appear even less credible than they usually are, nevermind.

Rich Whitney is helping change that cynicism it appears from his actions. He’s not even running in 2008 and he’s getting more press than most of the “other” Illinois candidates.

Green Party to hold convention, nominate presidential candidate - Chicago Sun-Times

Greens To Nominate President in Chicago - Chicago Public Radio

Democrat Debbie Halvorson and Green Party newcomer Jason Wallace seek to replace Rep. Jerry Weller  as representative for the 11th Congressional District.

Third Party Watch another good source for Other news.

The following is a press release from the Constitution Party:

Presidential candidate Chuck Baldwin, a Pensacola, Florida minister, talk show host , author and political columnist, along with running mate Tennessee attorney Darrell Castle are expected to be on the ballot in many states garnering enough electoral votes to upset the election resulting in a win.

Third Party Ballot Access Assured In Illinois

“We’re seeing voters demanding more options. Being told they can only vote for the Republican or Democrat in this race is like telling consumers they can only order Pepsi, not Coke. The two dominant parties have morphed into one and this is beginning to chafe the electorate”, Clymer added, noting: “Chuck Baldwin is on course to shake up the political status quo in November. While voters are seeing that Obama and McCain are virtually indistinguishable on the issues, they’re catching onto Baldwin in a big way”.

Constitution Party Presidential Candidate Chuck Baldwin Officially An Option For Voters

“Illinois has just been added to a growing roster of states in which voters will get to make a real choice this November,” noted Constitution Party National Chairman Jim Clymer.

Grand Rapids, MI (July 1, 2008) The Constitution Party, the largest and fastest- growing party in the country based on voter registration (Ballot Access News) announced its latest victory in securing ballot access for its popular presidential candidate Chuck Baldwin.(www.Baldwin08.com)

Brad Carter, 35, of Peoria filed as a Constitution Party candidate for the U.S. House seat that’s being vacated by U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria. However, his filing was challenged by Monday’s deadline.

Independent Political Report - Alan Augustson pens global warming comic strip

Independent Political Report front page is here, a great source for Other news.

Green Party candidate for U.S. Congress in Illinois’ 5th district, Alan Augustson, thinks that the only viable solutions to global warming involve “curbing our lifestyle.” He equates technology-based climate-change solutions with the idea of mating one’s way to virginity. We can’t consume our way out of a problem cause by consumption, reasons Augustson.

With the permission of Ryan North, Augustson has penned a dinosaur comic articulating his views on global warming. The comic strip can be viewed by clicking here.

From Richard Winger’s Ballot Access News

Today was the last day for anyone in Illinois to file an objection to a petition filed by an independent candidate, or the petition of a previously unqualified or new party. No one challenged any of the four petitions turned in for president. Those petitions were for the Libertarian, Constitution and New Parties, and Ralph Nader as an independent.

Independent candidate Allan Stevo has entered the 10th Congressional District race, joining incumbent Republican Mark Kirk and Democratic challenger Dan Seals.

An objection was filed Monday to the week-old 10th Congressional District candidacy of Allan Stevo of Highwood.

Stevo, 28, was required to submit at least 10,285 signatures to get on the Nov. 4 ballot as an independent.

Georgia is the only state with a higher signature requirement than Illinois for Other candidates to run for US House, but they have 180 days to get the signatures versus 90 days for Illinois. On a signature per day calcucation, Illinois most often has the highest requirement to run for US House in the US. It’s easier to run for the Iragi National Assembly than it is the US House from Illinois.

Allan Stevo was a Ron Paul supporter in the Republican Presidential Primary.