Third Party eruption bubbling under the surface ?

[kentuck]

Many Republicans are becoming disenchanted with Bush and the neo-con radicals and will be looking elsewhere next election. But, unfortunately, it will not be toward the Democratic Party. They will be looking for another Ross Perot or someone similar.

Many Democrats are not not happy with the Democratic Party for their "lack of spine" or inability to challenge the radical Republicans. As jobs are lost daily to overseas markets and as immigrants stream across our border, many blue-collar Democrats are primed for a Third Party candidate.

The time is ripe for a Third Party candidate. That person will be the determinate factor as to whether the Democrat or Republican wins the next presidential race. If he/she can draw more Republicans, the Democrat wins, and vice-versa. But, I think we have our heads in the sand if we don't see the anger and resentment building up. Look at the 31% approval for Congress. And the 43% approval for Bush. People will be looking for change.

[reality based]

1. Is Ross Perot still alive?

[mcscajun]

3. Yup. He's still alive.

"Since (the 2000 election), Perot has been largely silent on political issues, refusing to answer most questions about politics from the press. Whenever a paper has secured an interview with him he usually remains on the subject of his business career and refuses to answer the more specific questions on politics, candidates, or his past activities."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Perot

[Wright Patman]

5. In recent years he has endorsed *

for both governor and president. My guess is that all those "crazy" threats the BFEE had allegedly made to him and his family during his campaign had quite a bit of truth to them.

Just because Ross is paranoid didn't mean he wasn't right about the BFEE being out to get him.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. You are right there

Living in NW Arkansas, I see my share of conservatives and religious fundamentalists. What's surprising is that neither group is particularly pleased with Bush or the GOP Congress. Conservatives I know feel that there is too much Big Brother going on-and they don't like the Patriot Act's sunsetted portions being made permanent. They really hate the deficit.

What's really surprising are the fundies. My husband was talking with one at the laundromat the other day, and the guy nearly came unglued talking about how Bush is a liar and a hypocrite and how he should NOT be supported. Apparently some of these folks are waking up and realizing that Bushco has been playing them like a fiddle but don't plan on changing anything.

The hope for the Dems is in grassroots organization. I got an email that the NW Arkansas regional Dem headquarters has opened in Fayetteville (contrary to Repuke hype, I work for a living and could not attend the opening). Hope to find it when I travel over there and talk with them about local problems and what to do about organizing. There are a lot of disgruntled people that are still willing to give the Dems another chance if the Dems step up to the plate and do something.

[bridgit]

4. then we had better start learning how to count...

and then shave votes. clinton understood 'the math' just fine. the electoral breakdown. won from the midst of a three way vote. with a larger plurality. consult a true master @ the art of such things for best result.

[CrispyQ]

6. The only constant in the universe is change.

I have visions of the moderate republicans joining the DLC dems & the two becoming their own (corporate) party. Meanwhile, the PNACers & zealtos will be left with their own (diminished) party & we progressives will form a new truly progressive party that is the voice of the people.

Whatever happens, I beleive there will be some major changes in the political landscape very soon.

[Toots]

7. Maybe four parties

Republicans will never join any break awy Democrats because those would be the left leaning Democrats. If Dean is booted from DNC Chairman I am sure many will leave the Party. It is possible I suppose that Moderate to right leaning Democrats could align themselves with some Republicans but those are the type of Democrats that would never leave the Democratic Party. It is just possible that it may shake out into four seperate Parties. NeoCon Fascist Party which is what we have now. Independent Progressive Party with Dean at the forefront. Democratic Party led by Biden and Leiberman and Moderate Republican Party led by McCain. In the State of Alaska they have six official registered Parties on their ballot. They have two Republican parties. Republican and Moderate Republican, Democratic and Independent, Green and Libertarian. All are official Parties printed on their ballots. I suspect a move in that direction will happen nationwide.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

8. I too noticed that from the CSpan phone calls this morning...

It certainly could be a possibility, but I don't see any of the old politicos of the past filling that space (Perot, Buchanan, etc.) And Nader has poisoned his image beyond redemption, or he might have been the most likely choice.
Do you see any talent out there on the horizon?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

9. Yes, the 2006 election is ours to lose

But unless the Dems put their heads together and come up with something equivalent to the Contract on America, something that all the candidates subscribe to, and push it relentlessly without reference to how the Republicanites try to frame the debate, they will lose to ruthless Republicans.

Our list would be shorter, but agreeing to it would be a requirement for getting party funds. Candidates would also be required to raise a certain percentage of their money in low-cost (less than $50 per person) fundraisers that involved meeting ordinary people face to face. (How about a $10 coffee/tea and cookies fundraiser in a blue collar area?)

During 2005, assign all current Congressionals and Senators to hold listening sessions in their districts and to find out what is really on people's minds aside from what the media tell us is on people's minds.

Anything that keeps coming up nationwide is a winning issue. My guess is that people in both red states and blue states are concerned about health care, affordable housing, equal education, stable employment that pays a living wage, and perhaps even the Iraq War.

Meanwhile, the Dems should organize on the precinct level, especially in red states, and turn their local precincts into high-visibility social and community action groups. Let it be known that the Dems have the fun picnics and potlucks and are always willing to volunteer for community projects--wearing their "X County Democrats" T-shirts, of course.

[zulchzulu]

10. A viable right-leaning Third Party choice would be a Rove nightmare

It would be great for the Dems...I could see it happening if the Theocrats maintain control, knock out McCain and put up Frist...but all the top moderate Repugs are country-club Repugs, so they are not about to change labels.

What would their Jew-hating, black-hating momma think and say at the country club cocktail parties?

[welshTerrier2]

11. on party splintering ...

first, the republicans ... i just don't think it's very likely ... in fact, and i'm sure most will disagree with me, i think the neo-cons will not push a candidate in 2008 ... because if they do, i think that candidate will get trounced and i think they know it ...

i also think they see a very good possibility that a democrat will win no matter who the republican candidate is ... the tide is turning in this country and i think the neo-con strategy might be to let a republican moderate take the hit ... and the blame ...

this approach lets the neo-cons come back in 2012 to "save the day" for the republicans ... instead of being the people who caused "all this mess", they return as heroes ... the rationale for this belief is that they would be taking a long-term view ... right now, neo-cons are getting weaker and weaker ... it's time to lay low for a while ...

so, i don't expect a rift in the republican party ...

now, for the Democrats, you identified "lack of spine" and a blue collar revolt due to loss of jobs as possible causes for a Third Party ... i guess i just can't see big labor and the unions walking out ... it's certainly a possiblity but labor seems "true blue" to me and i can't see them leaving anytime soon ...

but there are other groups that may pose real problems in the very-near future ... i think their frustration with the Party and their belief that "the Party has left them" puts the Party at great risk ... the two most visible groups right now appear to be the anti-war wing and the blacks ... both groups have expressed significant discontent with the Party ...

one other group, which would be the end of the Party were it ever to occur, is pro-choice voters (both men and women) ... running candidates like Bob Casey in PA poses a real problem ... imagine a situation where his vote on choice tips the balance in the Senate to help bush get an anti-choice Supreme Court justice ... that would make for a very ugly scene in the Party when 2008 rolls around ...

the Democratic Party, and Dean made remarks to this effect recently regarding the blacks, has done a poor job listening to, talking with, and representing large blocks of its own constituencies ... i don't think it's just about "spine", or even just about issues ... i think the Party is at risk of fracturing because the Democratic Party is not adequately democratic ... people want to be heard ...

[MaineDem]

12. GOPers in Maine are looking at a third party to defeat Snowe

These tend to be the more radical right-wingers but many Republicans are fed up with her being a "moderate". Matter of fact, so are the Democrats but for different reasons.

I certainly don't see them looking to become Democrats but I think the division in their party can only be a good thing for us.