Short Summary

1. The speaker discusses the challenges faced by individuals running for president, particularly within the Green Party.
2. Running for president can negatively impact a candidate’s public image based on their past.
3. The Green Party is criticized for being dysfunctional, sectarian, and divided between economic and identity-focused factions.
4. Lack of hierarchy, order, and decision-making ability within the party is highlighted, with slow decisions and lack of accountability.
5. The importance of consensus within a populist, democracy-based party is emphasized, along with the need for legitimate empowered hierarchy for decision-making.
6. Issues within the party such as splits between sectarian groups, personality problems, and lack of professionalization are highlighted.
7. The party’s culture of defeatism and dismissal of ideas due to resource constraints is criticized, with a call for the party to address these issues to prosper and grow.
8. The departure of Cornel West from the Green Party is mentioned as a troubling event, emphasizing the need for diverse leadership.
9. The shift towards identitarian politics away from economic issues within the party is discussed, leading to criticisms from Marxist and communist perspectives.
10. The importance of including working-class representation in the party is highlighted, with a call for focus on issues like Universal Health Care, living wage, and a green new deal.