IPM is such a sad story. After the Ventura win, I had real hope that we might have the first legitimate regional party that had actual influence in state politics. It's a shame that Buchanan had to come in and screw up the national reform party and shatter the organization. Hopefully they can get on their feet and get some people back in the state legislature. (Didn't they have a few earlier?)
Its not quite dead yet. Minnesota has fairly liberal laws regarding what counts as a major party. As long as the IP con continue to get candidates over 5% of the vote in state wide elections it will be a major party allowing its candidates into debates. While its not an easy process but as long as the IP can keep its presence up it can still work on recruiting better candidates or winning converts from other parties.
I plan to vote mostly Democrat in the upcoming election. Hell, I registered to vote just for this election but will continue to vote when the time comes. I am excited.
Because Democrats like football and girls!!!! http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061105/NEWS0206/61105025 New USA Today/Gallup poll: Ford, Corker in statistical tie <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uKKs_vWJmVY"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uKKs_vWJmVY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
Well thats good to hear. It just angers me to no end that Buchanan had to wreck and split apart the reform party and basically turn the clock back on a group that actually did something. I realize the Minnesota branch basically latched on in order to cash in on Perot's money and growing voter tallies as a third party, but in the end it set things back when Buchanan showed up. But hey, hopefully everything works out in the end. Cant say anything positive about state politics in this state (Texas).
Even though I was just defending the 80's in the Ralph Samhpson thread in GARM I have to say there was a lot of crap in music and fashion in the 80's.
You should vote democratic tomorrow because... "this is not an election anymore, it's an intervention." -- Andrew Sullivan
My take? Because it's so obvious that you've abandoned all hope of being conservative whatsoever. And we all know Democrats give us our best chance at conservatism (post Iraq). And because of the clear cut, precisely defined, exit strategy that the Democrats have published in all of America's newspapers this past week... oh wait... they haven't done that either... Why should you vote Democrat on Tues? Because you are loyal to your party. (Hear me Repubs?)
Tuesday, Americans have a choice between staying the course and a new direction for our country. After six years of Republican leadership, some Americans may be considering doing something they haven't done in a long time. Vote for a Democrat. If you vote for a Democrat on Tuesday, we will honor the trust you put in us with a new direction for America. Isn't it time for a new direction in Iraq? The American people deserve political leaders who will ask the tough questions and make smart decisions about our foreign policy and homeland security, not just tough talk around election time. Sixteen intelligence agencies agree that the Bush administration's failed Iraq policy is increasing terrorism around the world. Our brave troops have become occupiers caught in a civil war. Democrats are united behind a strategy of phased redeployment and benchmarks that make it clear to the Iraqis that they must take responsibility for the future of their country. Fighting terrorism Isn't it time for a new direction in fighting the war on terror? Osama bin Laden is still on the loose, and al-Qaeda has moved to a new location in northwest Pakistan. Afghanistan has seen a resurgence of the Taliban. Democrats want to increase the size of our Special Forces to destroy bin Laden and terrorist networks such as al-Qaeda. We want to ensure that our troops and agencies have the tools to stop future attacks. And we won't take our eyes off of the growing threats in Iran and North Korea. We also need to keep our streets and communities at home safe. We will enact the bipartisan 9/11 Commission recommendations because it's time to inspect all cargo and lock down loose nuclear material and ensure our nation is prepared for disasters such as Hurricane Katrina - and the aftermath. We will ensure we properly equip our National Guard and first responders. Isn't it time for a new direction for our economy and the middle class? The harmful policies of the GOP have failed hard-working Americans. Republicans have waged a war on the family. The Bush economy has failed 80% of Americans, benefiting only the top 1%. For most Americans, wages and incomes have slowed; health care costs and personal debt have increased. Home mortgage foreclosures are up; college tuition has skyrocketed. Control spending We will end Republicans' deficit spending and restore pay-as-you-go discipline. We will restore the Republican cuts to Pell grants and other programs that make it easier for our kids to afford to go to college. We will protect, not privatize, Social Security. Democrats respect hard-working families and the work it takes to make ends meet. We believe that strengthening the middle class is essential for a thriving economy that rewards work, opens the door of opportunity to all, and makes it easier for parents to devote time to their families. We will ease the burdens on middle-class Americans with middle-class tax fairness, increase the minimum wage and reverse Republican health care cuts. We want to make a down payment in ensuring affordable health care for every American, and fix the Medicare prescription drug program. We will protect Social Security so that every senior is ensured a retirement in dignity. We will enact real ethics reform in Congress. Isn't it time for responsible, competent leadership and an end to the politics of deficits, divisiveness and deceit? Our nation has become more divided and polarized with rhetoric and campaign tactics designed to drive wedges rather than find common ground. From Iraq to the economy to the aftermath of Katrina, we've seen incompetence and mismanagement. The Republicans' culture of corruption time and again has put the interests of their party and their cronies ahead of doing what's right for our children, our communities and our families. Isn't it time for a new direction? Democrats have a unified agenda to restore hope and opportunity, competence and responsibility. So on Tuesday, if you want to change what's going on in Washington, vote for Democrats. Howard Dean http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20061106/cm_usatoday/fordemocrats
My DD... With a bit more than 26 hours before the polls close here in Ohio, and across the country the Republicans are in the last throes of their campaign. You see a pretty stark and fundamental difference between the parties emerge now in the final days of the campaign. Democrats getting out the vote. Republicans trying to suppress the vote. It's the part of the 72-hour program Republicans don't talk about. But if you think about it, theirs is a campaign tactics that fundamentally undermines democracy itself. They don't want people to vote. Flat out don't want them to vote. Because on a level playing field they lose. TPM... Only one party has a nationwide campaign to deliver millions of intentionally-harassing calls disguised to appear that they're from the opposite party. That party is the Republican party. And the calls are funded by the NRCC -- the House GOP election committee. It's the party of election subversion. Deal with it.
Both parties have things wrong them, and both do sleazy bad things. But they aren't equal. The GOP does more and sleazier things than the Democrats do.
Another reason... Dems are good for the Stock Market... The Dow Jones industrial average rose 119.51 points, or 1 percent, to 12,105.55, snapping a losing streak that followed a record high on Oct. 26. Speculation that Democrats may take control of the House of Representatives and the Senate from Republicans in elections today aided the rebound. --NY Times, Today http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/07/b...6a03901ce&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
I almost spit my coffee on the screen when I read that. Then when I read it in the context of the article, I laughed out loud. The Times is willing to put ridiculous commentary in any article.
"We're not going to sit around and start doing contingency plans." That pretty much sums up this administration... if things don't go exactly the way we want, we pretend it didn't happen... Iraq, Katrina, etc.
