WITH THE FOUR -day infomercial for the Democrats over, as the popular press focuses on Ralph Nader and Peter Camejo trying to get their names on ballots in various states, we want to tell you about the candidates of the Green Party, David Cobb and Patricia LaMarche.

Unlike the Democratic convention, the 2004 Green convention didn't have corporate skyboxes or glitzy lobbyist parties – and we never would – but we did have a lively debate about electoral strategy and a suspenseful ending.

The contest was between endorsing the independent ticket with Nader and Camejo and nominating homegrown Greens Cobb and LaMarche. In the end, we nominated two of our own and settled on a strategic approach we believe will grow our party and help change American politics for the better.

This year Nader chose not to compete in our primaries. Former Green Party candidate for California governor Camejo ran as a "favorite son" in the California Green presidential primary, but he didn't actively seek the Green Party nomination. His decision to join Nader on an independent-Reform ticket surprised many of us; we suspect it also surprised many voters who voted for him in the Green primary.

The Green Party is a party based on values, not personalities. Our Ten Key Values are the centerpiece of our party's principles. The first of our values is grassroots democracy. Cobb has been traveling across the country for the past year, talking to Greens and non-Greens alike about the future of our country. LaMarche, a working single mother, has left her job to do the same over the next four months. These are grassroots Greens, committed to grassroots campaigning.

Like many Americans, we're deeply distressed at our nation's direction under the nonelected administration of George W. Bush. As Greens, we understand the importance of establishing a vibrant political alternative and reforming our electoral system.

Across the country, progressives are being asked to vote for lesser-evil candidates John Kerry and John Edwards, who have supported the Iraq war, voted for the USA PATRIOT Act, and supported statewide constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage. Among the Green Party's Ten Key Values are nonviolence and social justice, so their positions are anathema to us. We won't be voting for Kerry and Edwards.

Our candidates, Cobb and LaMarche, are committed to running an aggressive campaign that will articulate the differences between our party and the Democrats and Republicans. Cobb and LaMarche are focusing their efforts building the party from the ground up, supporting local Green candidates, and talking about electoral reform at every step of the way. This is how we're making a difference and building our momentum as a political force. This is why the Cobb-LaMarche campaign has adopted the slogan "Green and Growing."

In this important election year, the presidential campaign is only part of the Green message. We strongly urge votes for Cobb and LaMarche, especially in states like California, where Kerry will win handily. But even if our friends vote for someone else for president, we want them to register Green, support local Green candidates, demand instant-runoff voting, and join us in building real alternatives for the future.

In 2000, Nader did a fine job of leading our ticket, but this time he has chosen a different path. We thank him for all he has done for our country and our party, and we wish him well.

This year a vote for Nader is simply a vote for Nader. A vote for Cobb and LaMarche is a vote to build real alternatives for the future and change politics for good.

We're Green and growing. Join us.

Susan King and Dr. Paul Quick are members of the San Francisco Green County Council. King is running for San Francisco supervisor in District Five.