I was briefly surprised....

Today's T&G had an article early in the election cycle about Jill Stein, who is running for Governor as the Green Party candidate.

The cynic in me believes that the newspaper, which endorsed Scott Brown, views Dr. Stein as a candidate that can siphon votes from Deval Patrick.  We'll see if the T&G endorses Charles Baker in the fall.

The idealist in me thanks them for their early attention.  In 2002, very few voters knew who Dr. Stein was heading into the debates.  Most voters I spoke with considered a vote for the Green Party a wasted vote, but admitted that she acquitted herself very well in the debate.  (Then again, anyone with half a brain would have looked good going up against Mitt Romney, Shannon O'Brien, Carla Howell and Barbara Johnson.)

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Then I got to the comment section for the article.  Once again, the level of debate is slightly less advanced then what you would find on a schoolyard during recess.  Maybe no one was kicked in the shins, but can't we do better as a nation?

My endorsements...already!

It might be early, but I am endorsing not one, but two candidates for governor (as illogical as it seems!)

As a registered Democrat, I will vote for Grace Ross in the Democratic primary for governor this year.  She might not win, but a primary vote is the biggest chance a single voter has to register their choice in mainstream, two party politics.

And assuming Grace Ross doesn't topple Deval Patrick, I will be voting for Jill Stein (Green Party) in the main race.  If Deval loses or drops out, stay tuned for my choice between Jill Stein and Grace Ross.  Either way, Massachusetts can't lose.  The last time Dr. Stein ran, I faced the usual barrage of 'You're throwing your vote away' catcalls from Democrats or Republicans.  I told them to watch the debates and see an intelligent, thoughtful and insightful candidate truly debate the issues.  Everyone I knew, both sides of the spectrum were impressed with Dr. Stein's performance.  (Facing the likes of Mitt Romney, Shannon O'Brien, Barbara Johnson and Carla Powell just made it seem easy!)