Money Rules
Audie Bock Leaves the Greens

by DAN HAMBURG

Santa Monica Mirror, October 27, 1999

Audie Bock, the first Green Party member elected to a state legislative seat, burst on the scene last March with a frenzy of worldwide media attention. Many Greens were euphoric that at last their agenda would be represented in Sacramento. At a minimum, a sitting Green legislator would help the party attract good candidates for future races as well as new registrants and voters.

Her year in Sacramento has had its ups and downs. A time or two Audie has cast a critical vote and received major publicity, most of it positive. She has been a highly sought-after speaker, able to use her many opportunities to familiarize the public with herself and with Green ideas and principles. She has established a camraderie with many of her colleagues.

Of course, her bills have gone nowhere, but that isn't wholly unexpected for any first year legislator. Being a caucus of one, largely at the mercy of the majority Democrats and without the oppositional power of the minority Republicans, is certainly not an easy task. But what seemed even harder to her was the possibility of reelection in a district that has been in the scope of the Democrats ever since her improbable defeat of Eliju "Hot Dog" Harris.

Audie saw her options as certain defeat as a Green or probable defeat as an independent. This is the Hobson's choice faced by any politician who dares to contest the two-party "duopoly." Running as a Green, she would deplete her meager financial resources just to make a respectable showing in the March primary. Then she would have to start from ground zero in order to win a November general election against a heavily-funded Democrat.

It's interesting that Audie's announcement came within a few days of Elizabeth Dole's withdrawal from the race for the Republican presidential nomination and the defeat--for the fourth straight year--of campaign finance reform in the US Senate.

Just as Audie pled poverty as the reason for her apostasy, Dole turned empty pockets to explain her quick retreat. With a famous political pedigree and only $5 million raised, smooth-talking Liddy just couldn't compete. Even for those with a major party label and glittering establishment credentials, money rules and $5 million is a pittance next to Bush Jr.'s $60 million warchest. Some feel that dollar democracy is a bad idea, but not the majority of the United States Senate.

Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, staunch defender of big tobacco, led the latest rout of campaign finance reform. On the floor of the Senate, McConnell challenged reform bill coauthor John McCain (R-AZ) to specifically identify the corruption McCain claims is rife. McCain demurred, saying that it wasn't his place to "name names."

Come on Liddy. Come on John. Isn't it about time that politicians like you, with your huge credentials and deep insight, stood up and spoke the truth? There clearly is a wholly unholy marriage of money and politics in America. It's directly affecting every aspect of American life, from health care to education to who carries the tax burden. I'm disappointed that Dole, whose chutzpah I've admired even if not her politics, didn't make a stink. Now there are zero women in the presidential race.

McCain, a Vietnam hero, three-term incumbent and current Republican presidential contender, should take McConnell up on his dare. He could start with a full explication of how he became one of five senators who met privately with Charles Keating in order to ease the junk-bonder's woes with his failing S&L. He should detail how the millions of dollars he absorbs as an incumbent officeholder directly and indirectly affect his service to the people of Arizona and the nation. If McCain himself would "come clean," it might encourage some of his colleagues to do likewise. An orgy of truth-telling, a la Bulworth, might ensue. This is the kind of move a real leader makes.

If powerful politicians like Dole and McCain refuse to stand up and be counted, how can we expect Audie Bock to do so?

Audie's decision to leave the Greens centered around her decision to take PAC money, just as the Doles and McCains always have, including money from both tobacco and oil companies. Once she made this decision, she was no longer really a Green. By not condemning her defection, the Alameda County Greens were simply saying, "This is clearly a place where we must part ways."

The Green Party will not only survive Audie's defection, it will grow stronger. This may well be one of those defining moments in our history, a moment when we outlined the boundaries of what it means to be a Green officeholder. It would have been disaster if Audie had gone down her current path while attempting to maintain her status as a Green.

Political parties have to attempt to be inclusive, but there are drawbacks to "the big tent." Before long, the party doesn't really stand for much of anything. As evidence, I offer the platforms of the two major parties, documents that are briefly fought over and then totally ignored. The Green Party has a clear platform. It is built around ten key values, none of which would begin to support the kind of campaign Audie seems determined to pursue.

I'm sorry Audie quit. As the old movie line goes, "she coulda been a contender." But we Greens can deal with losing Audie Bock from our ranks. Audie will have to deal with the loss of the principles she once espoused.