Report from Mainers for Cynthia McKinney 7/19/2008

1. A brief report was made about the recent Green Party convention in Chicago where Cynthia McKinney got the presidential nomination on the first ballot. McKinney now has less than two weeks left to qualify for federal matching funds and Maine is now within just a couple of hundred dollars of helping McKinney secure our state as one of the 20 states she needs giving her at least $5,000.
   
   
2. It was agreed that we should hold a news conference in mid-September in Augusta at the state capitol on behalf of McKinney. We will first see if we can get McKinney or her V-P pick Rosa Clemente to come for the event and then stay to attend the Common Ground Fair. Jacqui will check about the scheduling for McKinney or Clemente. Once we know the schedule and can pick a date, Ruth Gabey will reserve the Hall of Flags in the Capitol for the news conference.
   
   
3. There are several fairs (Portland International Fair-July 26; Full Circle Fair –July 26-27; Brunswick Peace Fair-August 2; Common Ground Fair-Sept 19-21) coming up that we will table at. People interested in helping should contact Jacqui at jacquio50@yahoo.com
   
   
4. Several suggested that we prepare a flyer comparing the positions of McKinney and Obama. Bruce will do this ASAP.
   
   
5. Ballot status: McKinney will be on the ballot in Maine and is expected to get onto around 35 state ballots. We are being asked to help gather the needed 3,000 signatures in New Hampshire by Sept 6. Let Jacqui know if you can help. Wells, Bruce, Ruth, and Jacqui offered to help.
   
   
6. Brainstorming: We came up with a list of ideas for further promoting McKinney in Maine. They included:
   
   
   • Maine bloggers writing about McKinney.
     
   • Robo calls (Tony will look into this).
     
   • MGIP new chair Lynne Williams will be touring the state meeting with local Greens and we should have one of us go along to talk about McKinney. Tony will be putting the schedule on the MGIP web site.
     
   • The MGIP web site should do more to feature McKinney, such as putting her campaign nomination speech on the home page. Also a more visible link to Mainers for Cynthia McKinney website should be on the MGIP homepage.
     
   • All McKinney supporters should write at least one letter to editor before the election.
     
   • Explore holding one of these organizing meetings in Bangor. Bruce will make contact with folks there.

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