[KFCF Friends] Presidential Debate: To Green or not to Green

[subs at kfcf.org]

PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: TO GREEN OR NOT TO GREEN

KFCF-FM 88.1 in Fresno will broadcast a debate on whether the Green Party
should run a Presidential candidate live on Thursday, Jan. 29 from 7 PM to 9
PM. The debate will also be available via KFCF's live internet feed and in
the KFCF web page archives for 24 hours after the debate at
www.kfcf.org/archives .

Recent California Green gubernatorial candidate Peter Camejo, a possible
party presidential candidate, will face Norman Solomon, director of the
Institute for Public Accuracy and author of "Target Iraq," on Thursday,
January 29 at the Crest Theater in downtown Sacramento, with activities
beginning at 7 p.m. PST. The debate topic is "Resolved, The Greens should
NOT run a candidate for President in 2004." Camejo is a lifelong activist
with roots back to the student movements of the '60s, and Solomon is a
veteran media analyst and political commentator/author.

A potential Green presidential candidacy has been a hot issue among
progressives for months. Many moderate Democrats and independents have cited
Ralph Nader's 2000 bid for the Oval Office as a key reason for George W.
Bush's ascendance to the White House after that November election. They fear
a Green run will give Bush the edge he needs to defeat the Democratic
nominee. Norman Solomon has voiced strong opposition to a Green run for
president.

Meanwhile, Peter Camejo contends that a vote for a Democrat -- even a
progressive -- is a vote for a system that has failed Americans and American
ideals. He also argues that a Green candidacy moves the debate to the left,
which he says increases a Democrat's chance of defeating Bush.

At the debate, Camejo and Solomon will also field recorded questions from
scholars and journalists familiar with the issue. Listeners can expect
questions from Howard Zinn, Amy Goodman, Kevin Danaher and others. Audience
members will also have an opportunity to ask questions of Camejo and Solomon
as well.

Nevada City singing duo Paul Kamm and Eleanor McDonald will perform a
musical prelude before the debate begins. KVMR-FM is producing the debate,
and KVMR and Left Coast Radio host Carolyn Crane will moderate.

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STATE OF THE UNION - LIVE ON KFCF

KPFA News will cover the State of the Union address this Tuesday at 6pm
Pacific. It will be followed by a short wrapup and analysis by prominent
progressive commentators, all live on KFCF, 88.1 in Fresno.