Jill Stein for President

Really….?

What is the deal with Jill Stein?  I’ll wager that two years ago you hadn’t heard of her.  She’s a physician who has been unsuccessful in her effort to win an election in her home state of Massachusetts, but she promises the moon and she’s everybody’s darling.  Good for her that she cares about the environment (so do I, by the way), but it’s easy to promise the moon when you don’t have to deliver on those promises.  Easy to tell people what they want to hear and maybe even believe it, and she’s done that well. 

Here’s what I know about her:  Not a lot except she's skilled at self-promotion.  She comes from privilege and has had a very nice life.  Good for her.  But if she can’t win an election by those who know her best, what’s the draw?  What does she know about governing or politicking?   I’m sure she’s intelligent and caring, but qualified to be president? 

I think her candidacy is more about you, the voter, than her qualifications or vision.  She's everybody's safe, noncontroversial choice. You don't even have to explain why you support her. Just say “Jill Stein for President,” or “I support the Green Party” and everybody nods approvingly in a self-satisfied way.  She’s your excuse to escape not voting because you’re angry that Obama hasn’t delivered everything you expected.  You can throw your vote away but still say you voted without compromising your principles.  And if Romney were to win, it’s on you and your principles, and god help us.

Noam Chomsky endorses her, and while I respect him as much as I respect anybody alive today, I’m taking issue with him on this one, respectfully.

I will add that if Dr. Stein stays involved in politics after not winning instead of pouting and dropping out ala Ralph Nader, I'll have more respect for her.  And, folks, you don't prepare a third-party candidate six months before an election.  That should start this year on November 7.

ETA:  In the clip below, she could not be any more annoying.  She's a bit whiny and self-serving and quite the attention-grabber.  She would have been a distraction in the debates.  Roseanne Barr would have been a more substantial participant.  This woman isn't it.  I see through her.

                                                  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9NPvFL-u5c