TP: What is the Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition?
JH: Pro-Vote is a labor, community, and electoral coalition founded in 1992. We have adapted different models of organizing from other progressive political organizations across the country. We actively build progressive political power.
TP: What set of criteria do candidates have to meet before Pro-Vote helps in their campaigns?
JH: We look for candidates that are broadly progressive, candidates that have built broad coalitions of constituencies who fight against right-wing gun nuts, social conservatives, environmental polluters, white supremacists, and big business. The right wing has been successful at building a big tent agenda. We too want to build a big tent.
TP: Missouri is a key battleground state this year. Is it true that no president has ever won the nation without winning Missouri? And why is Missouri so important in this year’s elections?
JH: In almost every case the president won Missouri. We’ve had one exception. This shows how important Missouri is. In fact, geographically, Missouri is a microcosm of the rest of the country. The different sections—like the Boot Hill, St. Louis, Kansas City, Northern Missouri, and the Ozarks—really reflect the country as a whole. And because of how the Electoral College is set up, Missouri is critical.
TP: As a Missouri resident I know that our Republican legislature has gone against the electorate on issue after issue: for example, gun control, abortion, right to work, and education. Nationally, Republicans seem to have also ignored the electorate on the same questions. Could you explain this to me?
JH: Republicans don’t really care what people think. Right-wing Republicans count on large numbers of people not voting—poor people, people of color, working people. But, if everybody voted they would try to suppress the vote. Through right-wing control of the media—TV, radio, print—they can tightly control the access to information about candidates and issues. In fact, Clear Channel—a pro-Republican, pro-war, and anti-working class corporation—owns 1000 different media outlets. Fox TV is a mouthpiece for the Republican Party. This is about big money. Just look at how much money Bush has been able to raise. He is raising more money than any other president in the history of our nation. Working people can’t compete on that level. The Republicans have an overwhelming financial advantage.
TP: Is it important for young people to get involved in organizations like Pro-Vote? Why?
JH: Youth are going to be very important in this year’s elections. Most youth are decidedly anti-Bush. Unfortunately though, youth have a low rate of voter participation. Pro-Vote can train young people on voter registration and mobilization. It is so important that youth are involved. Youth pay the biggest price. The policies of the Bush Administration will have many long-term negative affects on youth. Youth and students pay the price for bad schools. The cost of education is rising. Youth will have to deal with pollution and dirty air long after Bush is gone. Also, the restrictions on reproductive rights will greatly affect youth. Youth are on the front lines. But, they may also take the biggest hits. We have to bring up the low youth voter participation levels.
TP: Some youth activists wonder if there is any difference between Democrats and Republicans. Many youth voted for Nader in 2000. Do you think Nader will affect this year’s election? And what are the prospects for a viable third party?
JH: Currently the electoral system is designed to discourage third party participation. But, if you look at other countries you see proportional representation. For example, in other countries five percent can win you a seat in parliament. Here you get nothing. In my opinion, Nader supporters will evaporate this year. Most won’t vote for Nader this time. Republican donors are contributing to Nader. As that gets more and more play people will be driven away from Nader. They will see that he isn’t based in the right kind of principles. And they won’t waste their vote this time.
TP: What can we expect during Bush’s re-election campaign?
JH: Bush will have an unprecedented amount of money at his disposal—more than any other candidate in US history. Bush will do character assassination on opponents. He will try to suppress the African American vote. And the major media will parrot what he says. Fox will be the “Bush re-election channel.� We can expect deception and lies. And the Republicans will do everything they can to mobilize their right wing base.
Tony Pecinovsky is an independent media/labor activist. He has organized with the Teamsters union and SEIU, is a frequent contributor to the People’s Weekly World, among other publications, is currently a member of the Newspaper Guild, and member of the YCL National Council. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri.
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