Whether a third party is practical, viable and can do more than defeat one of the big parties by sucking away people that would vote for it are separate issues that can be debated later.
But, for NOW, one thing is certain: there is LOTS of “buzz” in centrist circles across the country about finding ways to short-circuit polarization — even if this means looking at a third party alternative. One of the highest-profile groups is Unity08, which seeks to offer an alternative ticket. And Centrist Coalition at THIS LINK HERE is now offering recordings of remarks by Unity08 co-founder Hamilton Jordan.
Here’s a key portion of the press release about his address to a recent meeting of Centrists:
Jordan, former White House Chief of Staff in the Carter Administration and advisor to Ross Perot’s 1992 presidential campaign, said “If our country stays on the course that we’re on now for another ten or 15 years, we are headed toward being a second-rate power. I think that a lot of this is due to the fact that the political parties have become more polarized, increasingly focused on narrow arguments to special interest groups, and that we’re spending all of our time on emotional issues that tend to divide us instead of on the core issues that face our country that will determine not only the future of the country but to some extent the future of the world.”
Jordan addressed the first-ever gathering of the Columbus-based Centrist Coalition, which drew participants from as far away as Texas and California. Jordan, who addressed the meeting by speakerphone, said, “I don’t think there has been a time in the recent history of our country when the American people are more polarized and more disenchanted with both political parties and I think justifiably so. So there is a huge opportunity for people in the middle and the question is always how do you challenge the system that is so well established, so well funded, and change the perceptions of the media elite and political elite that it can be challenged.”
Despite Jordan’s roots in the Democratic Party, he was not optimistic about their ability to provide real solutions. Jordan said, “As bad as President Bush and his administration looks now, in my opinion the Democrats don’t look much better, and I think the American people feel that way.”
Go to the link to see more links and to hear his remarks.
UPDATE: Why is all of this happening now? The two political parties are paying the price for stridency.
Joe Gandelman is a former fulltime journalist who freelanced in India, Spain, Bangladesh and Cypress writing for publications such as the Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek. He also did radio reports from Madrid for NPR’s All Things Considered. He has worked on two U.S. newspapers and quit the news biz in 1990 to go into entertainment. He also has written for The Week and several online publications, did a column for Cagle Cartoons Syndicate and has appeared on CNN.