Cynthia McKinney Wins Green Party Presidential Nomination

Cynthia McKinney won the Green Party of the United States presidential nomination at the July 12 GP-US Convention in Chicago. McKinney, a former Member of Congress from Georgia, received 313 of 532 first round votes to earn nomination by Greens delegates from across the country excited that she will be their standard bearer this year. Hip-hop activist and journalist Rosa Clemente was selected to be the vice-presidential candidate of the Greens.

McKinney served six terms representing DeKalb County's 4th Congressional District before moving to California and becoming a Green.

About 800 Greens attended the convention at the Chicago Symphony Center.

Clemente said she accepted McKinney's invitation to be her running mate because she believes the former Georgia Congresswoman's platform addresses issues not addressed by Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama.

"I chose to do this, not for me, but for my generation, my community and my daughter," said Clemente, 35, in the statement. "I don't see the Green Party as an alternative, I see it as imperative."