They're behind bars, but they're set to run for President (Mumia/Peltier)

Sacramento Bee ^ | 29 December 2003 | Ed Fletcher

[CounterCounterCulture]

The Buzz: They're behind bars, but they're set to run

By Ed Fletcher -- Bee Capitol Bureau
Published 2:15 a.m. PST Monday, December 29, 2003

Twenty-two Americans will appear on California primary election ballots March 2 in a bid to become president of the United States.

Among them are 10 Democrats, one Republican, one American Independent, four Greens, three Libertarians, and two people in prison.

The two convicted felons, Mumia Abu-Jamal and Leonard Peltier, are running -- from their cells -- as Peace and Freedom Party candidates. There's a third Peace and Freedom candidate as well.

Abu-Jamal has been on Pennsylvania's death row since 1982, when he was convicted -- some say wrongfully -- of fatally shooting a police officer.

Peltier is serving two life sentences for the murders of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota in 1975.

Some are asking why California's Democratic secretary of state, Kevin Shelley, would allow them on the ballot.

"Is this some sort of joke by Shelley?" asks Steve Frank in his e-mail newsletter "California Political News and Views."

State law appears to give Shelley discretion in setting the presidential ballot, allowing him to list "generally recognized candidates." Criteria for being generally recognized includes qualifying for matching federal campaign funds and appearing in public opinion polls and debates.

But citing court decisions that favor inclusion of candidates, Shelley spokeswoman Terri Carbaugh said Shelley really doesn't have any say in the matter.

"That party submits the names to the secretary of state and the secretary puts them on," Carbaugh said.

[CounterCounterCulture]

As first reported here at FR:
** California - MARCH 2004 PRIMARY - Candidate Status Report **
(8 December 2003)

[Drango]

FRY MUMIA

[CounterCounterCulture]

Thanks for reminding me to add that as a keyword

FRY MUMIA

[Redbob]

FRY MUMIA!

[jmaroneps37]

mumia's vp could be ed asner or martin sheehan.

[Joe Boucher]

I'm no fan of the F.B.I. but didn't leonard peltier shoot and kill an F.B.I. agent in the dakotas? He was convicted.
Last week I saw a bumper sticker on an obviously indians truck, probably either a mikosukee or seminole, saying free Leonard Peltier. I thought for about a second and remembered that this is the Indian that was convicted of this killing.
I thought to myself at the time what a dumbass.
STill do.

[NormsRevenge]

State law appears to give Shelley discretion in setting the presidential ballot, allowing him to list "generally recognized candidates." Criteria for being generally recognized includes qualifying for matching federal campaign funds and appearing in public opinion polls and debates.

Shelley.. LMAO. what a dork.

[bassmaner]

They're behind bars, but they're set to run

Traficant for President 2004

[CounterCounterCulture]

mumia's vp could be ed asner or martin sheehan.

Can't imagine those two egomaniacs taking the #2 job, especially since Sheen pretends to be president anyway.