Green Party fading in California
March 8, 2010
The California Green Party seems to be fading as a political movement. During the last five years, the number of registered “Greens” in California has shrunk from 158,000 to 111,000. [San Jose Mercury News]
Even more telling was the anemic response to last weekend’s semiannual Green Party conference in San Jose. Only 80 people showed up; half left after the first day. Both Green Party candidates for governor–Laura Wells and Deacon Alexander–didn’t even bother showing up to the platform hearings.
Party officials estimate 33 “Greens” are currently holding some kind of local public office in California, mostly in the Bay Area.
The Green Party, which places great emphasis on environmental issues, sprang up in Europe during the 1980’s and garnered strength in the U.S. during the 1990’s.
The decline in membership is being blamed on the so-called “Obama Effect,” where Greens crossed over to vote for Obama for President in 2008. Other Greens apparently embraced the liberal agenda of presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich.
The California Green Party plans to spend $35,000 on a TV campaign to increase membership size.
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