CHARLIE DIETCH

JAMES HARRIS, Socialist Workers Party presidential candidate.

He's not on the ballot in Pennsylvania, but Socialist Workers Party presidential candidate James Harris stopped in Pittsburgh last week to talk with striking Verizon workers.

Q: What is the main purpose of the Socialist Workers Party?
A: We fight for the rights of this country's workers and farmers. We believe that revolution is necessary to bring about change that will benefit the working class.

Q: What is your message when you're out on the streets or on the picket lines talking to the public?
A: We tell people about the realities of politics. The reality is, voting in our current system really doesn't make a difference. That's why people don't vote. If a person's vote actually counted for something, then everyone would vote.

Q: That's an odd philosophy for a presidential candidate to have. If you don't believe in the system, why run for its highest office? A: This is the best platform I can use to get the message out. If I weren't running for president, would you be here right now talking to me?

--Pittsburgh Tribune-Review