INDEPENDENT VOTERS
- How the Independent Movement Went Left By Going Right (By Miryam Ehrlich Williamson, The Back Forty) Over at The Hankster (named for its originator, Nancy Hanks, and a leading online voice of independent political thought), there's a great article by Jacqueline Salit, executive editor of The Neo-Independent on the contribution of independent voters to Barack Obama's election. The title itself is intruiging. If you're into electoral politics, you want to read it.
- Obama's road to the White House: The year that began in Iowa (BY PETE GOLIS, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT - Santa Rosa CA) "He may yet stumble," I blogged later that night, "but this guy has star power, he's a confident speaker, and he has found a way to reach out to young and independent voters who are sick of the cynicism of the old politics. If those independent voters continue to turn out, he will be a formidable opponent for the Democrats who remain in the race."
- 18- to 24-year-olds did not show up at polls as expected (By LE ROY STANDISH, The Daily Sentinel - Grand Junction CO) "People don't want to be marginalized by any given party ... they tend to want to be mainstream," Hammer said. "I think (in future elections) you will see the numbers will go up in the unaffiliated."
OPEN PRIMARIES
- OR: White tide--not blue--sweeps Oregon House! The Senate is next!! (HOT001) Individually, the Members are all good, hard-working, dedicated people….But collectively, as a reflection of the state's racial and ethnic makeup, issues and priorities, they fail to meet the rhetoric of inclusion and democracy.They do make the case for open primaries and other electoral reform, though.Oregon's partisan primary system keeps us mired back in the era where decisions were made in smoke-filled rooms…
- FL: Write-In Loophole Targeted (The Ledger - Lakeland) In 1998, voters approved a constitutional amendment that would open the primary to all voters when only one party had candidates in a race.
POLITISOPHICAL INVESTIGATIONS
- Advice to Obama: Revive 'Gang of 14'... or more (Lanny Davis, Washington Times) The new president can make this happen because, in the final analysis, he will say no to the old ways of hyperpartisanship - and "yes, we can" to developing compromises reflecting the views of the broad center between the 20-yard lines of this country, where most Americans live, and get into the solutions business, which most Americans want.
- What Change Will Come (By Miryam Ehrlich Williamson, The Back Forty) The deeper meaning of Barack's promise of change was not lost on those who crave it. The scope of the change he will bring – is already bringing – is greater than cleaning out the sump that is Washington politics. It's a change in world views, a change in the way we see ourselves and each other. It's a change the vast majority of Americans – the 80% who approve of how he's handling the transition and who believe things will be better with him in the White House – have hungered for these many years, most of us unaware of our longing until we heard Barack ask us to believe. It's a change the world desires, which is why 180,000 people – almost none of whom could vote for him – flocked to see him speak in Berlin.
NEW YORK POLITICS/INDEPENDENCE PARTY
- MSM AWOL AS COMMUNITY BLOCKS THOROUGHFARE IN RESPONSE TO HOLIDAY SHOOTINGS (posted by Mary Alice Miller, Room 8) Accompanying Mitchell were Assembly woman Inez Barron, Charles Barron, Dr. Lenora Fulani, Geoffrey Davis, Taharka Robinson, Stan and Tulani Kinard, Kevin Powell, Marc Claxton, and a couple hundred supporters.
- QUASI-PRESS RELEASE: THE LATEST POLL RESULTS ON THE TERM LIMITS EXTENSION ISSUE IS NOW AVAILABLE (posted by Rock Hackshaw, Room 8) Dems: When asked whether or not they were in agreement with the idea or concept of term limits, 78.3% of the respondents said yes they were. The nays were 21.4%. Only 0.3% had no response/opinion
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