Former Pres. Jimmy Carter Campaign" Op's" Launch "Third Party 08!"

[KoKo]

Jonathan Alter sets out this "teaser announcement" and it's carefully placed at the end of an Alter article about Internet Donations. Many might have missed this in the first read...but HOW DO DU'ers FEEL about a THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE...run by former President Carter's Campaign Ops?
What would a Third Party Candidate run by Hamilton Jordan and Jerry Rafshoon bring to the Dem quest for 2008? And...WHO would it SIPHON Votes FROM? Why now?? ....the former Carter Ops decide to get into the campaign? Isn't Al Gore's Movie just opening? :eyes: Why pull a Ross Perot on the Dems? Why? :shrug:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNITY 08 CAMPAIGN/ THIRD PARTY DEMS

-snip-
To begin busting up the dumb system we have for selecting presidents, a bipartisan group will open shop this week at Unity08.com. This Internet-based third party is spearheaded by three veterans of the antique 1976 campaign: Democrats Hamilton Jordan and Gerald Rafshoon helped get Jimmy Carter elected; Republican Doug Bailey did media for Gerald Ford before launching the political TIP SHEET Hotline. They are joined by the independent former governor of Maine, Angus King, and a collection of idealistic young people who are also tired of a nominating process that pulls the major party candidates to the extremes. Their hope: to get even a fraction of the 50 million who voted for the next American Idol to nominate a third-party candidate for president online and use this new army to get him or her on the ballot in all 50 states. The idea is to go viral—or die. "The worst thing that could happen would be for a bunch of old white guys like us to run this," Jordan says.

The Unity08 plan is for an online third-party convention in mid-2008, following the early primaries. Any registered voter could be a delegate; their identities would be confirmed by cross-referencing with voter registration rolls (which would also prevent people from casting more than one ballot). That would likely include a much larger number than the few thousand primary voters who all but nominate the major party candidates in Iowa and New Hampshire. This virtual process will vote on a centrist platform and nominate a bipartisan ticket. The idea is that even if the third-party nominee didn't win, he would wield serious power in the '08 election, which will likely be close.

There are plenty of ways for this process to prove meaningless, starting with the major parties deciding to nominate independent-minded candidates like John McCain (OK, the old McCain) or Mark Warner. Third-party efforts have usually been candidate-driven, and the centrist names tossed around by way of example (Chuck Hagel, Sam Nunn, Tom Kean) don't have much marquee value in the blogosphere. And the organizers would have to design safeguards to keep the whole thing from being hijacked.

But funny things happen in election years. With an issue as eye-glazing as the deficit, a wacky, jug-eared Texan named Ross Perot received 19 percent of the vote in 1992 and 7 percent in 1996. He did it with "Larry King Live" and an 800 number. In a country where more than 40 percent of voters now self-identify as independents, it's no longer a question of whether the Internet will revolutionize American politics, but when.

For more, go to JonathanAlter.com

© 2006 MSNBC.com

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13006799/site/newsweek/page/2/

[primative1]

1. Im all ears ...

Love to hear more about these guys.

[KoKo]

7. A Google search of Rafshoon and Jorden would reveal what they've been

doing throughout the Reagon Regime (I and II Terms) Bush I, Clinton (two terms) and Bush II Imperalisms? HOW LONG THEY'VE BEEN IN THE WILDERNESS...(excuse my Valley Girl stuff but.....OMG...where "HAVE" they BEEN ...all this time.. :eyes: (chomping my gum..like Brittany Spears...)

Why is it that we just see them "pop up their gopher heads" when Al Gore's movie has opened? Why do we suddenly see them "hopping on the Internet Funding/Interactive Thingey" when Howard Dean kind of set the precedent as to what the "Internet" could do. And...didn't Kos and MYDD just release a book called: "Crashing the Gates?" Haven't they been all over America to "small Indy Bookstores like my own here in NC?"

So...Rafshoon and Jordon suddenly wake up after a three decade sleep and DISCOVER THE POWER OF THE INTERNET? Give me a break.....here...:shrug:

Here's where I would have RESPECT for CARTER's Group coming into the FRAY for 2008...if Hodding Carter suddenly came on board for 2008.

I was around through Carter's Administration and frankly the only one out of that administration I STILL CAN RESPECT for POLITICAL SENSE...is HODDING CARTER.. I see he's ABSENT from this latest foray by former Carterists. :-(

[aquart]

2. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Again.

[LiberalPartisan]

5. Yup

Reform the Democratic Party before going off on a wild Naderesque goose chase.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

30. Why?

There's money to be made here...With the Republican Party held in near-universal contempt, the only thing that could possibly keep conservatives in power is to fracture the Democrats. Believe me, hundreds of millions in corporate cash is available for anybody who wants to start a liberal third party.

[depakid]

3. Political science 101

Disrespect your base, create a vacuum- and a group will come together to fill the vacuum, to attract the disaffected- along with others who ordinary might not vote.

Triangulate at your own risk....

(You'd think the Dems would have learned that lesson by now)

[Placebo]

27. I never learned that in PoliSci 101.

:D

[Riverman]

4. Does Jimmy Remember John Anserson 1980 who got Reagan

Elected? Jimmy go grab your hammer and build some more houses for the poor! A serious third party run by anyone getting even 1-2% pf the vote would just about gurantee another 4 years of a Republican White House, not to mention an even more conservative Supreme Court. Stevens won't last that long! How about Nader again? Oh the Repugs are salivating at the prospect ofa third party run by anybody. They are likely going to put someone up themselves - someone who appears moderate, oh maybe Hillary! How about JoMentum? Diane?

[depakid]

31. Dems have shown they don't care too much about the federal courts

So at this point, that's not going to be a very persuasive argument for most people.

In fact- that's one thing Nader was absolutely right about.

[Wilms]

6. According to your subject line...

Former Pres. Jimmy Carter and his Ops Launch "Third Party 08!"

Did I, or you, miss something?

[KoKo]

10. Thanks....I just edited Subject Line to say "former Campaign Op's."

Although when I saw Jimmy Carter appear with James Baker, III it made me understand that "Jimmy" wasn't supporting Verified Paper Ballot for average Americans. His internationalist mind has LONG AGO gone off into Quasi/PNAC/Quasi/Peace/Quasi/Do what you have to to "work within the system."

Understand that I worked hard for Jimmy Carter...I saw him as a BIG HOPE FOR DEMS...just like I saw CLINTON!

That's I'm "suspicious and disillusioned about BOTH OF THEM at this point...might be understandable...give what "hard core DU'ers of the Old School" have seen for decades.

Not that this apologizes for my "rabid subject line" but it's just so you know I have a LONG History of Voting and Dem Party Activism...Which doesn't mean shit one way or the other..except for background.

[madfloridian]

8. Where does it say Carter himself is part of it?

I missed that part.

[Wilms]

9. What don't you get???

Three guys that worked on Carter's campaign thirty years ago means Carter is "launching" a third-party. Get it? :sarcasm:

:eyes:

[KoKo]

11. I just edited....and I'm very worried about this........

I don't know why folks jump on stuff and trash..........before they read.

[madfloridian]

12. Was not trashing...just wondering about Carter himself.

It is definite a concern, considering the ones mentioned are claiming progressive. I am concerned.

[KoKo]

15. Wasn't talking to you "mad" was talking to those who were "naysaying"

you... I understood what you said.........

[KoKo]

19. BTW...for those of you who don't link and read the Original Site...Carter

is NOT Running in '08. It's his former Campagin Ops who are looking to run a "THIRD UNKOWN" as yet CANDIDATE for '08.

That's what Jonathan Alter is pointing out. It's former Carter supporters suddenly jumping into the Kos/MoveOn/MYDD/DU and the rest's funding sources with some damned Repug Ross Perot who could THROW this coming election to McCain/Hillary or whomever the "status quo" thinks will serve the DLC by getting elected. I don't know that Carter is directly involved in this...but Rafshoon and Jorden are the EQUIVALENT TO getting CARter ELECTED as BEGALA and CARVILLE are the Equivalent to getting Clinton ELECTED!

Rafshoon and Jorden after an absences of decades are NOW suddenly recruiting for a THIRD PARTY DEM CANDIDATE? Just as many of us on the LEFT are hoping GORE will run? :shrug:

[ComerPerro]

13. I stopped reading or caring at "independent minded candidates like McCain"

[blm]

14. Those "campaign ops" also told Carter to attack VN war protestors in 76

and to honor Lt. Calley's service as a show of support for strong arm military tactics.

[KoKo]

17. yes...the "unknown stuff" that's waiting in the "closet of skeletons."

.....didn't want to open to many "cans of worms."

[kentuck]

16. Me thinks someone is spreading Repub propaganda...

Jimmy Carter is over 80 years old... I fhe were going to run, he would do it as a Democrat...

[KoKo]

18. Kentuck! Did you read the link to Alter's Post?

Please go there and read it about "Third Party '08" with Rafshoon and Jordan.

Then come back and post.. I respect your opinion but realize that you might not have had time to really go to the post and digest it.

Please do it..and then..if you post what you just did...well I'll have :crazy: in me head......

[ecoalex]

22. Jimmy should of been monitoring the election in Ohio

[kentuck]

23. I apologize for jumping to conclusions on your post KoKo01....

I thought they were trying to nominate Jimmy Carter. Either way, I don't think that would be a good idea at this time. It would be too much of a gamble. The Repubs may win anyway but we shouldn't help them.

[primative1]

20. So Judgmental ...

Listen ... Don't cover your ears because you are told to. Someday you just might hear something you like.
This sounds like its not just Jimmy's crowd.
I remember Angus King from up in da gr8 state of Maine.
The man has a lot of respect.
Again, I think people should listen to what they have to say.
Maybe no sale. Time will tell.

[KoKo]

21. I have a "history" that gives me some ability to judge...however...I gave

you the link to the article to "Judge for Yourself."

Okay? :-)'s Read it...don't just read what DU permits me to post...go to the original article. :shrug: Read for yourself....

[primative1]

24. I am reserving judgment

I read the article. Sounds like a promising development, from my perspective and possibly from some of those on the dark side as well.
It is my profound wish that unlike the choice between stink and stank and the looming choice between stink and stink



maybe somewhere someone has found a viable solution to leading us out of this gloomy place we semm to be stuck in.
May be its just a dream, and I wasn't intending the judgmental remark at you, but rather at those that were roasting you.
Thanks for the heads up, I'll have my eyes open.

[KoKo]

25. Here's my worry....about this...

Ross Perot managed to take enough votes away from Bush I to get Clinton elected. (If you don't believe me ..do Google Search..."Ross Perot steals votes from Clinton/Gore" and see what comes up.

What worries me about this proposal from former Jimmy Carter Campaign Op's is that they see a chance to get some money that Carville/Begala have used for years because of the successful two term Presidency of Clinton. There's nothing that "old war horses" love than to have a new day to try to get into the race for the Democratic Gold "IF" the odds look good for Dem win in '08.

That Jordan and Rafshoon are even thinking about running a THIRD PARTY DEM! is disturbing because Ross Perot really supposedly RAN Third Party. Rafshoon and Jordan (according to Alter's article...linked in my OP) are trying to run a DEMOCRAT as Third Party.

Wouldn't running a Dem take away votes from whichever Dem Candidate Emerges...and if it's a "weak Dem or a DLC Dem then many of us here on the "Internets" who really would support Gore or another candidate will be co-opted by this Third Dem Candidate while another Repug Sails into office on Bushies failed/tattered coat tails? IOWD's thhe "Internet funded Candidate" is in danger of being co-opted by Rafshoon/Jordan's new Third Party Run.

That's my worry... because it sounds like Rafshoon and Jordan dabbling in the "Internets" when they have NO CREDENTIALS having been absent for DECADES!!! :shrug: Why the heck would they want to run an Independent and who would that be after they've been gone so many years. WHAT have THEY been DOING..that we should trust them...????

[primative1]

26. You worry too much ...

At this point its a short story in business week. Might not even pan out. Lets hear the story. If they run someone in the mold of Angus King they would likely draw equally from both, sheeeeet they could even pull it off if people stay as cranked up as they are now. None of the Above would rule today.
Either way enjoy the show, its years away, let it play out.

[ruggerson]

28. Don't be so sure it would siphon votes from the Dems

I think it far more likely it would end up ELECTING a Dem. But it would totally depend on who runs.

[ruggerson]

29. I mentioned this the other day in a hypothetical poll

Let's throw some other names out.

George Allen or Mitt Romney as the Repub

Hillary or Gore or Feingold as the Dem

Hagel as the Independent


Who do you think would win?

My guess is that Hagel would take lots of country club republican votes away from Allen/Romney and end up electing Hillary or whomever the Democrat is.

[OzarkDem]

32. Who is paying for this, the GOP?

I doubt Carter has anything to do with it.

Can't we find a job for Ham Jordan at a progressive think tank or something? Surely his talents can be put to better use.