Green Party Recognized Nationally

By Jorge Casuso

Nov. 8 - In a decision that will add legitimacy, increase fundraising capabilities and lay the groundwork for a more coordinated nationwide organizing effort, the Federal Election Commission issued a unanimous opinion Thursday recognizing the Green Party as a formal national party.

The Green Party - which counts Mayor Michael Feinstein and Councilman Kevin McKeown among its elected officials -- joins the Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Reform, Natural Law and U.S. Taxpayer parties as federally recognized national parties.

The FEC decision comes two days after 48 Greens were swept into office across the nation in Tuesday's elections, seven more than were elected last year. Two Greens were elected to the city councils in Minneapolis and in New Haven, which join Santa Monica among the ranks of U.S. cities with two council members.

"This is fantastic news," Feinstein said. "We are getting to watch a budding new political movement mature before our own eyes, and this is one more tangible piece of evidence of it."

"For the Green Party this is part of the growth," said Dean Myerson, the party's political coordinator. "It recognizes us as having established both electoral and administrative activity. It will demonstrate that the growth and status of the party is at a level where we can do that."

Myerson said the Greens will open a national office in Washington D.C. and hire field organizers who will travel across the country focusing on key campaigns.

But Myerson said that the recognition also is in large part symbolic. He noted that Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader received 3 percent of the vote in last year's election, less than the 5 percent needed to qualify the party for matching funds, which requires national party status.

And although the national status will permit the Green Party to accept contributions of up to $20,000 a year from individuals, party rules limit such donations to $10,000 a year. The party and its candidates also refuse corporate contributions.

Green officials said the new designation would further legitimize a party that already is growing in stature.