From the usually conservative King County Journal
Time for third political party?
When is a Democrat not a Democrat? When he's Sen. Joe Lieberman, or at least that's how Ned Lamont characterized him during Lamont's campaign to become the Democrats' senatorial candidate. And it worked -- Lamont defeated Lieberman in Connecticut's primary last week by branding him a hawk for his support of the war in Iraq.
Never mind that Lieberman, a moderate, was once considered Democrat enough to be the party's candidate for vice president and even got a veiled assist from uber-liberal Sen. Barbara Boxer, who cautioned her fellow Dems to "focus on the vast number of differences we have with our Republican opponents, not the few we have with each other."
When is a Republican not a Republican? When he's targeted for defeat by the Club for Growth, whose 36,000 members have raised millions, and spent as much, to support Republican candidates who mirror the group's conservative views.
The Club pumped $1 million into the election to help Tim Walberg unseat incumbent Rep. Joe Schwarz, a moderate, in Michigan's Republican primary last week. Schwarz is no maverick Republican -- he received support from President Bush and the National Rifle Association.
"I refer to the Club for Growth as the enemy within," said Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y.
So Lieberman wasn't liberal enough for the Democratic Party, and an NRA-endorsed Republican wasn't conservative enough for the GOP.
Maybe it really is time for a third party to emerge to represent that huge section between the far left and far right. Some think it's already here -- the Lieberman-John McCain Party. Or maybe just the Real People's Party.
Time's up - it can't be done - because one does not make history by splitting the great visions and deeds of other "extremists" down the middle. Making history, i.e. a difference, in politics requires articulating a bold vision or ideology and then persuading enough adherents to accomplish something.
Moderation, in my view, is no basis for a political party. On the contrary, it is precisely through the great polticial tug of war between polarized factions which keeps the flag pretty-much steady or moves it slightly in the right direction when there is sufficient weight of the populace at large to accomplish a modified political consensus.
Sorry - but I think McCain is most certainly a dangerous political clown. Yes, we know all about the war-hero stuff and we thank him for his service, but his loose-cannon, angry politics are definitely not what America needs. (visualize McCain's stiff gesticulations and then picture Uncle Fester meets Dr. Strangelove - it's eery)
Most politicians in both parties are so completely out-of-touch with average Americans it is disgusting. If there is any cause for a third party which could be successful, it is one loaded with politicians who are actually responsive to the wishes of the People instead of being completely bought and paid for by lobbyists, corporations, and special interest groups.
But, from where would we find these people?
Posted by: Jefferson Paine on August 15, 2006 03:32 PMwell said Jefferson. The only thing that I would add about McCain that makes him more scarry is that he actually believes that he is doing good (i.e. campaign finance reform)
Posted by: TrueSoldier on August 15, 2006 08:57 PM