Chat: Political Activist and Actor Danny Glover
Nov. 7 -- “People feel disempowered, disillusioned. And they feel as if their vote has no impact on the status quo. I mean, that’s the reason why they’re not voting,” said Danny Glover in a 1999 interview with The Nation.
Ralph Nader’s presidential campaign could help change that, when Nader supporters decided Tuesday whether to stand by their candidate — thus sending a powerful message to the major parties about the viability of a third party — or to switch their allegiance at the last minute to Bush or Gore.
Glover, an award-winning actor and director, is one of Ralph Nader’s staunchest supporters, joined by such celebrities as Susan Sarandon, Phil Donahue, Bonnie Raitt and Eddie Vedder with the Green Party on the campaign trail.
Did Nader’s campaign energize voters?
Glover, best known for his roles in the Lethal Weapon movies, has long been a social activist and humanitarian, advocating the release of Leonard Peltier and Mumia abu Jamal and speaking eloquently against racism. He joined us on Election Night in a live chat.
Moderator
Danny Glover joins us now. Welcome!
Moderator
I imagine you've been watching the race pretty closely. What's your reaction so far?
Danny Glover
Like most people, I think it's sad. I hate to sound like the voice, the repetitive voice, but the race is really close. On the one hand, it could be very interesting — it's just too close to call right now. Certainly I don't think that we've lost any of the momentum. We've talked about — those of us who've supported Nader — putting together a coalition of people who are talking about issues that aren't spoken about, the issues you don't hear as part of the national dialogues, the dialogues surrounding the two major campaigns. The issue of globalization, the issue surrounding the death penalty, the prison system, those issues aren't addressed in the general dialogue of the campaign rhetoric of the two major candidates. But it's — I'm looking at the numbers now, and it's still too close to call.
