Renowned American philosopher, progressive activist, and presidential candidate Dr.
Cornel West made a significant announcement on Thursday, revealing his departure from the Green Party in favor of an independent run.
This decision comes after initially launching his campaign with the People's Party before switching to the Greens, where he believed he had a better chance of gaining support. West's move follows closely on the heels of reports that Robert F. Kennedy would also be leaving the Democrats to pursue an independent ticket.
In a statement released by his campaign, West expressed his motivation for running as an independent, stating, "Cornel West is in this race to challenge the hegemony of the two ruling parties (the corporate duopoly), which oppresses the poor and working class. It is long past time to stop ping-ponging between Republicans and Democrats while millions of our friends and neighbors lack housing, health care, decent jobs, clean air, clean water, nutritious food, and a healthy environment."
The campaign emphasized the importance of democracy and the need for more choices, asserting that voting one's conscience should not be met with shame or bullying. West's campaign further emphasized that his focus would be on the people rather than the intricacies of internal party dynamics.
In an interview with Politico, West's campaign manager, Peter Daou, discussed the next steps for the campaign, highlighting the challenge of attaining ballot access in all 50 states. Daou acknowledged the significant hurdle faced by independent or third-party candidates in securing ballot access, particularly for a presidential campaign. He emphasized the need for a rigorous analysis of the best approach, considering the campaign's limited resources.
As West's campaign for President gains momentum, the focus will now shift towards the crucial task of securing ballot access across the nation. This endeavor will require careful planning and strategic allocation of resources, as the campaign aims to challenge the entrenched system and provide voters with a genuine alternative to the two dominant parties.
Login