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dc_dux · 08-02-2007, 05:08 AM

I'm in near total agreement with Pan's populist message and standing up and being heard in a positive way.

But I dont believe it can be accomplished by rejecting the Democratic party and building a third party alternative. IMO, the Democratic party is still the best hope for most of the populist programs Pan outlined above in his policy manifesto.

There has never been a successful third party in US politics. Ross Perot's 20% of the popular vote (Perot spent more $$/per vote than any one in history and the result was zero electoral votes) did not broaden the reform movement and Reform Party, just as Nader's 12% in 2000 did little to further the Green Party.

If by some wild set of circumstances, we see a viable third party candidate for President, it would still have little impact on the political enviroment without equally successful third party candidates for Congress. And as great as the public disdain is for Congress, that same public generally has high regard for their own member(s) of Congress.

IMO, reform from within still provides the best opportunity for change.

08-02-2007, 05:08 AM	#44 (permalink)
dc_dux Location: Washington DC	I'm in near total agreement with Pan's populist message and standing up and being heard in a positive way. But I dont believe it can be accomplished by rejecting the Democratic party and building a third party alternative. IMO, the Democratic party is still the best hope for most of the populist programs Pan outlined above in his policy manifesto. There has never been a successful third party in US politics. Ross Perot's 20% of the popular vote (Perot spent more $$/per vote than any one in history and the result was zero electoral votes) did not broaden the reform movement and Reform Party, just as Nader's 12% in 2000 did little to further the Green Party. If by some wild set of circumstances, we see a viable third party candidate for President, it would still have little impact on the political enviroment without equally successful third party candidates for Congress. And as great as the public disdain is for Congress, that same public generally has high regard for their own member(s) of Congress. IMO, reform from within still provides the best opportunity for change. __________________ "The perfect is the enemy of the good." ~ Voltaire Last edited by dc_dux; 08-02-2007 at 05:12 AM..