Matt Gonzalez and Ralph Nader
Photo by Luke Thomas
By Luke Thomas
February 28, 2008
Groundhog Day presidential candidate Ralph Nader pried the rusting nails out of Matt Gonzalez’ political coffin today, announcing he has selected the former San Francisco Board President as his running mate.
Nader made the announcement during a Washington D.C. press conference one day after Gonzalez released an op-ed to BeyondChron attacking the legislative record of Democratic frontrunner, Senator Barack Obama.
Nader said he and Gonzalez will not seek the Green Party nomination and instead will run as independents, adding weight to an unconfirmed rumor suggesting Gonzalez plans to leave the Green Party “within a year.”
Gonzalez declined to comment on the rumor following a Fog City Journal inquiry on February 25.
“I have no illusions about what is happening here today,” Gonzalez said during today’s press conference, “I understand what stands before us. But let me also say that I’ve never entered a political contest with the idea that it couldn’t be won. And it’s cynical to say that the American people are incapable of hearing the truth in casting a vote for someone that they believe in.”
For many San Francisco Progressives, who held much promise for Gonzalez’ second mayoral bid against Mayor Gavin Newsom’s re-election last year, no such illusions exist.
Luke Thomas
Luke Thomas is a former software developer and computer consultant who proudly hails from London, England. In 2001, Thomas took a yearlong sabbatical to travel and develop a photographic portfolio. Upon his return to the US, Thomas studied photojournalism to pursue a career in journalism. In 2004, Thomas worked for several neighborhood newspapers in San Francisco before accepting a partnership agreement with the SanFranciscoSentinel.com, a news website formerly covering local, state and national politics. In September 2006, Thomas launched FogCityJournal.com. The BBC, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, New York Times, Der Spiegel, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Magazine, 7x7, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Bay Guardian and the San Francisco Weekly, among other publications and news outlets, have published his work. Thomas is a member of the Freelance Unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, TNG-CWA Local 39521 and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Follow Me:
The Hunger Site
February 29, 2008 at 8:11 am
He flew all the way to Washinton to announce this non event. If Matt really wanted to show Green leadership he should have announced in SF, they have press outlets here too. I suspect his arrogance over shadowed his sence, as he’s clearly a smart guy.
On that note why is Bevan Duffy in Sydney, can’t a phone call surfice? At the very least local officials should be forced to offset all flights, but I am not sure that going anywhere on the city budget is necessary.
February 29, 2008 at 4:06 am
The Gonzo is still a dick head with a tie to keep the foreskin down.
February 29, 2008 at 1:59 am
I love how Matt can be criticized for running for VP while simultaneously lambasted for declining to run for Mayor.
Say what you want, but Gonzo is the perfect candidate to add a progressive counter-point to Obama’s flimsy rhetoric. Don’t get me wrong – I like Barack, but I *loves* me my Matt Gonzalez.
February 28, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I’m afraid you got your opening line mixed up. It should read, “Ralph Nader hammered the final nail in the political coffin of former San Francisco Supervisor Matt Gonzalez when he selected Gonzalez as his vice presidential running mate.”
February 28, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Matt looks a lot like Gaius Baltar in Battlestar Galactica. About as delusional too!