Originally Posted by host

pan and others intent on shifting their support to third party candidates:

This is the current status quo. The following is a chart that I've posted about before, displaying the progressive voting record of the senate. Only one democrat has a score below 70, and 45 republicans score under 17, with the last 32 scoring under 10.

There is no democratic congressional corruption, to speak of, under investigation (those are the only two branches of government that democrats control), even with the highly partisanized DOJ. In contrast, both Alaskan republican senators as well as the one congressman, also a republican, are currently under criminal investigation, and that's just in one republican controlled state.

It will be difficult enough, with republican manipulation of the vote (there will be no DOJ voting rights enforcement for the past victims of abuse, in the next election, and there will be a perverse, reverse "enforcement" of the "rights" of white republican voters in closely contested districts, as needed.....) for democrats to win 2008 elections, without a vote shift to third parties....

The last time a democrat was president, annual treasury debt was managed down from growth of $250 billion per year, to just $18 billion in 2000. Debt growth averages $412 billion annually, since 2001.

So just what is it, that you're seeking? The risks in seeking more "perfect" candidates, will increase the chances of more republican 2008 victories, vs. WHAT? Do you really think that you will achieve a more progressive, less corrupt and more fiscally responsible government, than democrats have been giving you, when you've given them the chance? Have democrats really been that poor at countering republicans (LOOK AT THE CHART...and the record of deficit reform in the '90's....and the corruption comparison between the congressional delegations of the two competing parties....)

So....what is it....why the urge to risk everything, if you fall short and republicans win because you shifted your votes away from democrats to candidates who can't attract "the middle"....WHICH THE SEANTE VOTING CHART INDICATES.......DOES NOT EXIST !