Phyllis Maria Scherrer, December 5, 1963 -
VP candidate for Socialist Equality Party (2012)
Running mate with nominee: Jerome White (b. 1959)
Popular vote: 1,279 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
Jerome White of the Socialist Equality Party was making his third run for President in 2012. His running-mate was Pittsburgh schoolteacher Phyllis Scherrer. They started their campaign in mid-Feb. 2012.
In their initial announcement, White outlined the SEP "core principles"--
First, we insist that the key to the future lies in the international unity of the working class.
Second, we fight for social equality, which is the foundation of socialism and a humane society.
Third, the SEP opposes imperialist militarism and the assault on democratic rights, which is being led by the Obama administration.
Fourth, the SEP opposes the political subordination of the working class to the Democrats and Republicans, which are bought-and-paid-for instruments of big business.
During the campaign Scherrer expressed disdain over the Republican attempt to paint President Obama as a socialist. "Obama has never been a socialist," she said. "He is a defender of capitalism. Prior to winning the election in 2008, he came to the White House to discuss with the Bush Administration the organization of the bank bailout. He was completely in favor of that." She added, "They called the bank bailout socialism, but that's capitalism. They took from the working class and enriched themselves ... We paid for, with our tax money, the bailout of the banks. There was an expropriation from the masses to the wealthy. What we are proposing is an expropriation in the other direction."
In another news report Scherrer said, "I have immense confidence that our campaign will win support from workers throughout the country and all around the world. Millions of workers and young people voted for Obama, looking for change. Three years later, the administration has revealed itself to be a right-wing instrument of the banks and corporations."
The White/Scherrer ticket could be found on the ballot in Louisiana and Wisconsin (0.02% each) and Colorado (0.01%) and write-ins in California, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and New York.
Election history: none
Other occupations: teacher
Notes:
Joined the SEP in 1984.
