Emmy award winning comedian Roseanne Barr used her Twitter account Thursday to announce her hopes of becoming the Green Party presidential candidate in 2012.
The Green Party was formed in 1991, and advocates for the environment, social justice, peace and diversity among other unique ideologies. The former “Roseanne” star submitted her paperwork to become a candidate for the nomination prior to the Green Party’s February 1st deadline.
She must now compete for the nomination, which will be awarded this summer at the annual Green Party convention in Baltimore.
There has never been a Green Party candidate elected for president, although there have been Green Party members elected to public offices at the state level. Political activist and attorney Ralph Nader is one of the most recognizable Green Party candidates, he ran as the Green Party candidate in the 1996 and 2000 general elections, and ran as an independent candidate in 2004 and 2008.
The former “Roseanne” star believes that both Republicans and Democrats cater to the “1 percent,” according to her recent comments on Twitter.
“The Democrats and Republicans have proven that they are servants — bought and paid for by the 1% — who are not doing what’s in the best interest of the American people,” said Ms. Barr upon announcing her intention to run for the Green Party nomination, The Associated Press reports.
In 2010, Ms. Barr announced on her website that she would be running for president, as well as in a trailer for her show “Roseanne’s Nuts.”
“I am only in the running to say those things that need to be said on behalf of the american people #healthcare #jobs #solutions #middleway,” said Ms. Barr via her Twitter account Friday.
In a press release Friday, the Green Party welcomed Ms. Barr and Chicago physician Dr. Jill Stein as presidential candidates.
“We are thrilled to have two strong women running for President as Greens,” said Darryl Moch, national co-chair of the Green Party. “We look forward to a race based on Green ideas and values, and to showing the Democrats and Republicans how to run without the corrupting influence of fat corporate campaign checks and corporate-funded attack ads.”
Ms. Barr has been using her Twitter account to ask her fans and supporters what they would like to see her campaign focus on. Her views seem similar in many ways to those of the Occupy Wallstreet activists.
According to their website, the Green Party has ballot access in 17 states, and expects the eventual Green Party presidential candidate to be on the ballot in 46 states for the general election this fall.
