McKinney win boosts US Green party hopes
Obama set to be chased by green girl McKinney
Cynthia McKinney has clinched the US Green Party's presidential nomination and aims to give a big boost to the Green agenda during Barack and John's battle for the White House.
Known as a firebrand politician, the former Georgia congresswoman has never been one to skirt around sensitive issues and this could bolster the party in the forthcoming election.
Former Democrat Ms McKinney - who received 313 of the 532 votes cast at Saturday's nomination convention in Chicago - has selected hip-hop artist and activist Rosa Clemente as her vice-presidential candidate.
"I believe, Green Party values are the values held by the majority in this country. And through our vigorous Power to the People campaign, we will proclaim our presence to every nook and cranny of this country. We are needed now, more than ever," Ms McKinney said in a statement.
The Green Party nominee, whose father was one of Atlanta's first black law enforcement officers, was the first black woman to represent Georgia in the US house of representatives.
She turned down the chance to be the party's presidential nominee in 2004 due to concentrating on winning her congressional seat back but is focused and ready for the forthcoming campaign.
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