BEHIND THE SCENES WITH RALPH NADER
Davis, CA is a very green town. One of
the most active organizations on the University of California, Davis campus
is the Greens. The former mayor was a member of the green party. It wasn't
a big surprise to hear that Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader
was heading to Davis on October 22nd for a couple of appearances. Knowing
the campus' and towns' affection for the Greens, I proposed a picture page
to our student newspaper of Nader's visit to Davis. The managing editor
liked the idea, leaving me with
The disorganization of the Green Party
is a curse but also a blessing. I made countless phone calls to numerous
offices in Washington D.C., Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and Davis. I
found mostly support for my need for access from those involved in the
campaign, but I wasn't confident that I was talking to the people who had
the authority to give me such access. In fact, the local person in-charge
of a fund-rasing reception before Nader's appearance at the University
denied me access. Calls from the editors at the
As I soon found out, Ralph doesn't like
flashes. I was told later that it hurts his eyes. I took one photograph
of him unpacking in the green room, and he asked me if he could have a
moment. I obliged, but didn't see him again until he walked down the hallway
to go on stage.
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That
left me with his speech at U.C Davis' recreation hall. I KNEW I had access
there, after talking with Nader's California coordinator, Ross Mirkarimi.
I waited for the caravan outside of Freeborn Hall before the event. Nader
arrived in an old blue Volvo Sedan, between two other cars carrying staff
members. I asked the first person out of the car if he was Ross. He wasn't,
but he showed me where Ross was. I went up and introduced myself, asking
if I could follow them in the back way. I had talked to Ross numerous times
on the phone before this to secure access, and he said sure. Security was
surprisingly lose, with just two police officers at the door where Nader
entered.
During
his speech I hung out backstage, made some frames from and of the audience,
and talked to some people in the campaign. They were surprisingly happy
to have me there, but very stressed since the campaign was going at break-neck
speed. At the end of the speech, Ross asked if there was anything he could
do for me. "Sure," I said "can I photograph in the green room?" He agreed.
Unfortunately, Nader wasn't in such a good mood. Once again, I was asked
to leave the green room although Nader soon left himself and was in his
car no more than five minutes after he left the stage. I had very little
time to photograph this package of Nader being the scenes, since he didn't
stay back there for long. We were able to put something together though,
not quite as comprehensive as I would have liked, but solid nonetheless.
