January, 1999
Labor Party Press
Conversation with
Kim Moody
Kim Moody is director of the Detroit-based
rank-and-file newsletter Labor Notes.
I think that compared to the Labor Party’s founding convention, there
were more union people represented at this convention, and it’s good to see that
growth.
On the electoral issue, I don’t know if I think running candidates
should be the main thing the Labor Party does, but I think it’s one thing.
I think if we can get people in the streets like we’re talking about,
that’s even better. But I’m a little skeptical that these new issue campaigns
can do that. I’m somewhat hopeful about the healthcare campaign. I think there’s
a real resonance out there on that issue. The big question is whether or not some of these
unions will really get behind these campaigns in regions where they have some strength. If
they did, then I think the campaigns could really have some visibility and power. That
could make all the difference.
I didn’t support the amendment proposing that the state and local
levels of the Labor Party should be able to give the green light to electoral campaigns.
[This amendment was defeated on the convention floor.] It’s not that I think all
power should come from the Interim National Council. And if the thing becomes larger, then
I think those decisions will have to get made more locally. But not right now, when
you’re taking the first steps, when you can hear just from the debate that some
people think getting two percent of the vote is just great. People who feel that way have
a really different idea than the vast majority of people in the party. I think that the
party needs to do some strategic thinking about running candidates.
This convention had some of the character of a union convention — how
could it not? And there were a lot of big-name speakers, and to some extent that’s
good. But it is important to give an opportunity for full debate too. Well, now we have
three and half years to work on that.
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