July 13, 2008
Posted: 10:14 AM ET
Cynthia McKinney represented a suburban Atlanta, Georgia, district for six terms as a Democrat.
Cynthia McKinney represented a suburban Atlanta, Georgia, district for six terms as a Democrat.

(CNN) — The liberal environmentalist Green Party nominated former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney as its presidential candidate Saturday.

McKinney, 53, held off three rivals to win the party's nomination during its convention in Chicago, Illinois. She picked journalist and activist Rosa Clemente as her running mate.

Green Party spokeswoman Scott McLarty acknowledged McKinney was a "long shot" for the White House, but said, "Every vote that she gets helps the Green Party."

"The United States needs an alternative party," McLarty said. "The narrow two-party system we have right now has not served us very well."

McKinney represented a suburban district of Atlanta, Georgia, as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives for six terms — five consecutively.

First elected in 1992, she lost a primary challenge in 2002 after suggesting in a radio interview that members of the Bush administration stood to profit from the war that followed the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

In 2004 she ran again and won with a low-key campaign in which she largely avoided controversy. But voters ousted her again in 2006 after she was accused of a physical altercation with a U.S. Capitol Police officer who questioned her after failing to recognize her at a security checkpoint.

Full story

Filed under: Cynthia McKinney


Susan   July 13th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Grren Party screwd up on her. As a fellow Georgian, this woman is a fruitcake!

Tim   July 13th, 2008 2:50 pm ET

Whiners!!! That's what McSame says we all are!!!

William, from Cali!   July 13th, 2008 2:22 pm ET

Good for them! Anything is possible!……………………………………."Only in American, could this had happen"………………..Actually, two women nominated for President and Vice-President ;of these "united states" of America. Who would have thought that?

Joshua   July 13th, 2008 2:22 pm ET

This very well may be a balance against Bob Barr come November

JJ   July 13th, 2008 2:19 pm ET

Could McKinney be the spoiler?

melisa   July 13th, 2008 2:18 pm ET

no one for vote in state onlly for bule and red that too bad just nohting

Jon in scary Oregon   July 13th, 2008 2:16 pm ET

Ha,ha,ha. Now this is a funny………Help, I can't stop laughing…….Oh,oh, look out BHO, a sister is out to get you….

Monica for Obama in Indiana   July 13th, 2008 2:14 pm ET

CNN is this not a first?

You go girl. Told the truth about Bush administration.

Hillary, and hillary supporters eat your heart out.

kelvin mays   July 13th, 2008 2:10 pm ET

if they think by nominating a black woman to that non existant party that they are going to screw this history up they are sadly mistaken. This will be a historicalyear for the american people.

Charlotte   July 13th, 2008 2:06 pm ET

Hey, a female who happens to be black. I would like to know about her positions and experience. Maybe CNN will at least give her some air time…

Joe Reg   July 13th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

She looks dazzled by it all.

Good luck Madam Pres.

Henry Miller, Cary, NC   July 13th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

Describing the Greens as "liberal" is an insult to liberals–and, on the whole, I think of liberals as opportunistic takers constantly whining for someone else, anyone else, to pay for their freebies.

"Eco-terrorists" would, I think, be a more apt description.

kelly WI   July 13th, 2008 1:57 pm ET

Ha ha. I needed a laugh today.

James   July 13th, 2008 1:52 pm ET

Confrontation is her platform. CNN, please repeat and highlight McKinney's interview with Soledad O'Brien, a shining example of how obnoxious and confrontational McKinney is. "You can't stop me Soledad!"

android   July 13th, 2008 1:52 pm ET

I was for Hillary but willing to vote for Obama if he became the Democrat's nominee. But after listening to Obama since he secured the nomination I am finding it very difficult to support him - at least we knew where Hillary stood. I have a great admiration for Cynthia McKinney and will consider voting for her. I am also looking at Ralph Nader. It will be difficult to pick between McKinney and Nader. I like them both.

DebDeb in Cali   July 13th, 2008 1:46 pm ET

And so, the silly season continues.

Voter   July 13th, 2008 1:46 pm ET

Another whacko checks in.

Slavica   July 13th, 2008 1:41 pm ET

Not another Nader , all over again! I like McKynney, but this is not the time.

David, Atlanta, GA   July 13th, 2008 1:38 pm ET

They couldn't have posssibly nominated someone less relevant. This woman represents the district next to mine, and even I was happy to see her leave congress.

Mike   July 13th, 2008 1:22 pm ET

lmao - I could probably count on both hands how many votes she's going to get.

What a joke.

susan, PA   July 13th, 2008 1:20 pm ET

Another MORON-SPOILER.
I do not know what these people get by participating in elections? I used to think that Hillary is a arrogant fool to continue in primary elections but these candidates make her look much smarter.

Green party   July 13th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

She'll get my vote instead of that lying flip-flopping Obama

M.S. Indiana   July 13th, 2008 12:49 pm ET

Welcome to the race Cynthia McKinney, may you make life harder for poor old McCain

Matt, Manchester, CT   July 13th, 2008 12:44 pm ET

And the winner for Most Irrelevant Story of the Day goes to…

Dfoster GA   July 13th, 2008 12:33 pm ET

Is this nut serious. I mean, I have no problem with multiple parties running for the White House, but this lady is as fruity as they come. Any party that would nominate this idiot isn't really serious about running this country … successfully. Can you imagine this nut in a crisis situation? I thought Ralph Nadar was crazy, but this lady takes the cake. I hope no one will waste their vote on this person.

3rd party   July 13th, 2008 12:33 pm ET

CNN) — The liberal environmentalist Green Party nominated former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney as its presidential candidate Saturday,,,,,,,, I hope she doesn't jump them

Mary May King   July 13th, 2008 12:31 pm ET

This is one black candidate Jesse may have some difficulty practicing his particular brand of emasculation.

bruja   July 13th, 2008 12:30 pm ET

interessting woman. I like her allmost as mutch as Obama….

john williams san diego, ca.   July 13th, 2008 12:29 pm ET

this woman is too stupid to know she's stupid.

db   July 13th, 2008 12:27 pm ET

I'll bet she'd have the spine to tell Bernie Mac off, and she wouldn't be "just messing" with him, either.

caribbean admirer of OBAMA   July 13th, 2008 12:24 pm ET

Oh my God, another sister who failed in the past and now once more is trying to get the black vote and opposing the election of her own kind. Who paid her for this? Woman get a life.

Loretta from California   July 13th, 2008 12:23 pm ET

well she won't get very far with that "better than thou" attitude. I would think she would have been happy to learn the Security Guard was doing his/her job…..protecting her and the other members of Congress. It would seem as though all of our Leaders need to rid themselves of this "You are beneath me" attitude that they seem to develop when they are elected.

DEMOCRATS UNITE!!!

Eric in Atlanta   July 13th, 2008 11:58 am ET

I wish she was on the ballet here in Georgia, because I'd vote for her just to protest. There's no way I'm voting for Obama. He changes his point of view as he changes his underwear.

Jeff Brown   July 13th, 2008 11:54 am ET

Who cares?

Jack from California   July 13th, 2008 11:45 am ET

Every vote she gets helps John McCain and the anti-green republican party. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot, these delusional folks are as much of the environmental problem as the republicans they help get elected.

Go figure!

Angus McDugan   July 13th, 2008 11:43 am ET

Cynthia McKinney the new Jesse Jackson.

Lisa   July 13th, 2008 11:41 am ET

I hope she wants Universal Health Care, than I'm really voting for her. Go Cynthia!!!! LOL

pam Eugene OR   July 13th, 2008 11:38 am ET

Oh please, she is a rude loud mouth loser. What would be the problem with a serious candidate and not a loose canon who slaps DC cops.

Lisa   July 13th, 2008 11:37 am ET

I'm voting for her if not Hillary!!

Griff   July 13th, 2008 11:32 am ET

You have a much better chance than Borack Obama, of being the next C.I.C. Lady.. Even if the Democrat's do win the Election Obama will be overthrown by the V.P. on account of his Alien Backgroun…

Angus McDugan   July 13th, 2008 11:28 am ET

OK… The Green Party is now officially a joke.

Alice   July 13th, 2008 11:24 am ET

I guess she'll cancel out Bob Barr - darn!

Gina   July 13th, 2008 11:23 am ET

The Green Party must really be confused and desperate. After watching Cynthia McKinney's behavior, hitting the Capitol Hill police officer, in 2006, I couldn't imagine her running for dog catcher. Why would anybody in their right mind elect McKinney to anything … let alone the Presidency of the United States?

Texas Trail Dog   July 13th, 2008 11:21 am ET

I'd rather have her any old day than, OBAMA!!!

TESAP   July 13th, 2008 11:19 am ET

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

mike obama   July 13th, 2008 11:18 am ET

McKinney dont be a spoiler for presidential democratic nominee Obama. This election is between American War Hero and Community Organizer. Between maverick and chameleon. Between All American Baby and Kenyan Anchor Baby. Between White Male and Inter-racial Male. Between 20 years Senator and 143 days Senator. Between Professional and Rookie. Between Democrat and Republic. Between Majority and Minority.

Willy   July 13th, 2008 11:17 am ET

SHE's BACK!

DOH!   July 13th, 2008 11:03 am ET

Obama 08 &12

JohnBoy   July 13th, 2008 11:01 am ET

The Green party is a joke.

JK Ashburn, VA   July 13th, 2008 10:56 am ET

All part of the Left's plan to get Obama elected. McKinney is such a nutcase that, next to her, even Senator Liberal (Obama) will appear moderate and acceptable to the American people.

Steve from Castle Rock, CO   July 13th, 2008 10:51 am ET

This nomination completely undermines any credibility the party might have had.

another whiner   July 13th, 2008 10:49 am ET

I'M ALL FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND ALL, BUT,THIS IS A ONE-ISSUE PARTY.however,a debate between them and mccain would be real fun!a debate between them and obama would be boring,because they have the same stand on the issues of the environment.

Rave   July 13th, 2008 10:37 am ET

One more buffoon, cartoon, spoiler like Nader. These people are the culprits in today's politics.
OBAMA (2008 -16)

Jan From Boca Raton, Fl   July 13th, 2008 10:29 am ET

What is this world coing to, this woman is a nut case.

NotFallingInLine.org   July 13th, 2008 10:26 am ET

Why would a movement with such good intentions want to turn itself into a joke?

Well seeing that McKinney has no idea how to handle herself when she's being attacked politically, and seeing that the Green Party is conceding even the appearance of leading a real movement in this election cycle, the Green Party giving McKinney the nomination might be the best thing for both of them…

Knoxville NFIL

Enough Already!   July 13th, 2008 10:25 am ET

I couldn't agree more, we definitely need more than 2 parties.

rachel   July 13th, 2008 10:21 am ET

ahhh she just might be my alternative to holding my nose and voting for Obama. The fact that she wanted to impeach bush is a definte plus.

Jesse Abrams   July 13th, 2008 10:21 am ET

Wonder if the liberals are going to start calling her names, since that is what they do. The childishness of liberals is funny.

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