A Note to the Greens

I read with interest Kevin Zeese’s commentary that was published in Maryland Matters today.  It can be found here:  https://www.marylandmatters.org/single-post/2018/09/21/Want-Progressive-Government-Vote-Green-Party-Up-and-Down-the-Ballot

I do not know Mr. Zeese personally, although I am aware of his history in public health advocacy and third party politics.  Unfortunately, his proposed prescription (found in the article’s title) only serves to improve the odds of Governor Hogan’s re-election bid.  This would seem to defeat the cause of progressive governance.

In 2018, Maryland Democrats selected a serious progressive, Ben Jealous, as their gubernatorial nominee.  The party has nominated someone who is running on a platform that includes but is not limited to: free community college for all Marylanders, debt-free college for all 4-year public institutions, a $15 minimum wage, Medicare-for-All, legalizing marijuana for adult use, using reimportation as a means of reducing prescription drug costs, greater investment in public transportation, a smarter and fairer criminal justice system that keeps us safe, more jobs, a reduced state sales tax, and environmental justice.

So why on Earth should any progressive not vote for Jealous?  According to Zeese, if progressives shunned Jealous, that would teach a handful of Democratic insiders a thing or two about not going all-out for the gubernatorial nominee.   But, if Zeese’s approach was successful, who would really pay the bill for this strategy? The answer is not the elites but the middle and working class citizens from across the state who support all or significant parts of Jealous’ policy agenda.

I know some Greens will look upon Jealous as yet another neo-liberal (albeit the most progressive Democrat the party has ever nominated for statewide office) and that many Greens are willing to hold out for 99% of the loaf (which they will never get), despite the fact that a perfectly good half-loaf is right there on the plate waiting for them.  Hot and fresh from the oven...with butter.

Zeese has a point that corporate interests have had an over-sized role in shaping public policy, and that their influence is not limited to Republican circles.  However, we finally have a populist left-of-center gubernatorial nominee in Jealous and yet Zeese is saying, “Nah, progressives should walk away from him.  That’ll show ‘em.”  The logic eludes me…especially in 2018 when Democratic "machines" have been defeated by insurgent progressives in primaries across the country.

Zeese forgets that the Democratic Party is more than a handful of Annapolis politicos, it includes 231,895 voters who cast their primary ballot for Jealous, it includes tens of thousands of progressives who voted for Democratic candidates for Governor other than Jealous.  It includes most of the 818,000+ voters who voted for the Democratic nominee in 2014.  And it includes hundreds of thousands of others with progressive views who may or may not exercise their franchise in the General Election, but whose lives would be improved through the enactment of progressive legislation.  What about them, Mr. Zeese?

This election is going to get closer, most likely much closer, between now and Election Day.  Jealous is going to need every vote he can, and yes, this includes every progressive vote.  While it might feel cathartic and “pure” for Greens to vote for the Schlakman/Chambers ticket, which has zero chance of winning, buyer’s remorse will immediately kick in for many such voters on the day after Election Day…especially if Jealous loses by only a percentage point or two.  Just like those Florida voters who thought it would be swell to vote for Nader in 2000...

Zeese’s article was about governance, which is not easy.  It is not hard to yell from the sidelines.  It is more challenging to forge and maintain a governing majority.  So, Dear Greens, you may not love Jealous but if you want the kind of government that you claim you want, who is going to deliver on the issues that matter most to you?  Jealous or Hogan?

So, to echo Zeese, “Do not take us for granted.” In this case, by “us” I am referring to the millions of Maryland residents who would benefit from the election of a “people-powered” Governor.  As much as I despise the cliché, let us not make the perfect the enemy of the good.   Because, friends, Jealous is darn good and the people can’t afford to take actions that might result in four more years of Hogan-rule.

And yes, that applies “up and down the ballot.”

In solidarity.