HuffPo Excerpt from Independents Rising by Jacqueline Salit: Michael Lewis, Kentucky Independent

Just came across this wonderful excerpt From "Independents Rising" by Jacqueline S. Salit. Copyright © 2012 by the author and reprinted by permission of Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Ltd. posted today on HuffPo:

Michael Lewis is an imposing man. Six-foot-six, 340 pounds, barrel-chested, he looks like someone who could crush an opponent without even a sideways glance. Lewis played semipro football in his younger days. Today he is married, with two young daughters, and has worked as a pre-litigation specialist in the financial credit industry. It’s a business that Lewis feels uncomfortable about. “It’s hard to make a living off of other people’s misfortune,” he says in a gentle voice that seems at odds with his physical stature. He’d like to change careers. But the economy being what it is, it’s hard to make that change especially in a place like Kentucky, where jobs are scarce and wages are low.
Michael Lewis is an independent. When you talk with him, you realize that it’s as much an attitude, a posture, a sensibility, as it is a political position. He doesn’t like political parties; he feels they have too much control. He wants independent voters to have more political power. Kentucky is a “closed primary” state— meaning candidates are nominated through primary elections in which only party members can vote, not independents.

Michael Lewis is one of many players in the independent movement. He is the founder of Independent Kentucky, a fighter for grassroots democracy. Get to know him!

NH

LIVE FROM KENTUCKY -- it's Wednesday Night! (July 11th)

"IK LIVE" is Wednesday, July 11th @ 7:30pm ESD

www.IKLIVE.tv

Have you had a tough time finding “IK LIVE!” in the past? Never fear www.IKLIVE.tv is here! As of May 1st 2012 Independent Kentucky has launched IKLIVE.tv that links directly to our Ustream account. That means you can get right to the live or most resent show.  Don’t forget to catch Wednesday night’s show!

Online at http://independentkentucky.com/

Kentucky Independents' Michael Lewis Speaks About Gatewood Galbraith Passing

Former Kentucky governor candidate Gatewood Galbraith dies (WDRB-Louisville) Lawyer and frequent candidate for Kentucky governor Gatewood Galbraith has died.  The Fayette County Coroner's Office says family members found him at home on his bed, "unresponsive."  It said he had been ill for several days with congestion in his lungs and suffering from "cold-like symptoms which had been complicated by chronic asthma and emphysema."

If you live in Kentucky and want to participate in a bottom-up movement to include independents and ordinary Americans in our political process, contact Mike  at the grassroots affiliate of independentvoting.org at Independent Kentucky. Kentucky has a fast growing population of independent voters. With independents being 40% of the electorate nationally Independent Kentucky is working to make strides in educating independent voters and making sure the movement is heard.

IK Leadership Team
	Chairman: Michael P. W. Lewis Email: michael@independentkentucky.org			Co-Chairman: Alexander Kemble Email: admin@independentkentucky.com

Kentucky's Independent Gov Candidate Gatewood Galbraith: "Willingness to transcend partisan gridlock"

KENTUCKY
Reader supports candidate Galbraith (The Times-Tribune) The next Governor will work in a climate marred by partisanship amidst a competitive global economy. Because of this, I support Gatewood Galbraith. His political courage to tackle the most vital issues others haven’t, his willingness to transcend partisan gridlock others created, and ability to question conventional practices others haven’t are logical and refreshing.

Gatewood Galbraith, Kentucy's Independent Gov Candidate Talks About Medical Marijuana and Lots More

KENTUCKY
Gatewood Galbraith: Running Against A “Culture Of Corruption” (The 420 Times - the magazine of medical marijuana and natural healing) The two party system is just as entrenched here as it is everywhere else, and the establishment is extremely hostile to outside candidates, even one that has ran as many times as Gatewood has.

Independent Gov Candidate Gatewood Galbraith For Kentucky's Perennial Problems

KENTUCKY
Try 5 for Gatewood (GREG STOTELMYER, WTVQ) Galbraith has run three times in the Democratic primary, once as the Reform Party candidate and now as an independent candidate.   “A perennial candidate?  Kentucky's got perennial problems,” said Galbraith.

Gatewood Galbraith Files for Gov in Kentucky as Independent

KENTUCKY
Galbraith files to become independent candidate for governor (By Jack Brammer, Lexington Herald Leader) Saying Kentuckians are "so disgusted with the status quo" in Frankfort, Gatewood Galbraith turned in 7,396 signatures with the secretary of state's office Thursday morning to become an independent candidate in this year's race for governor.

Political Reform: No Party Affiliation

KENTUCKY
Galbraith claims no allegiance to party (By HAWKINS TEAGUE, Murray Ledger & Times) The Lexington attorney has run for governor in the Democratic primary three times – 1991, 1995 and 2007 – and once in 1999 on the Reform Party ticket, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal… “I’m an independent candidate for governor,” Galbraith said during a stop at the Murray Ledger & Times office Tuesday. “My running mate and I have no party affiliation whatsoever. We don’t want one. The problem with Kentucky and the reason we’re dysfunctional as a state government in Kentucky is because both parties have their horns locked up like two bull elk fighting over territory while the business of the people lays dead in the dust.

CALIFORNIA

• Election 2012: On the trail of the moderates (CAPITOL WEEKLY, By John Howard) And in addition to the new strategies, there is uncertainty over the real impact of two new, voter-approved electoral features – the top-two primary and the boundaries drawn by an independent redistricting commission.
• Calif. gets look at political maps drawn by citizens panel set up by voters to reduce gridlock (JUDY LIN  Associated Press, Daily Journal) "I think a big factor in the low registration and low voting rates in California among some communities is disenchantment with the political process. And a big source of that disenchantment is the fact that people feel that politicians have chosen their voters instead of the other way around," said Maria Blanco, a commissioner from Los Angeles. "The measure of success will be whether we see more people ... willing to participate in the political process."

NEVADA
Nevada Bill Passes, Eliminates the Easy Method for a New Party to Qualify for the Ballot (Ballot Access News) AB 81 also tells parties that nominate by primary that they cannot invite independents to vote in their primary. Only the Democratic and Republican Parties nominate by primary in Nevada. They have not been letting independents vote in their primaries recently anyway, but previously, the law was silent on whether independents can vote in primaries. AB 81 bars a party from inviting independents to vote in its primary.

Open Primaries for Pennsylvania, Independent Governor for Kentucky, Non-Partisan Redistricting Process for California

OPEN REDISTRICTING PROCESS
Former Calif. assemblyman, senator call for elimination of partisan political data in redistricting process (San Diego News Room) The language of the Initiative specifically excludes any criteria related to political party registration. There is therefore no reason for the Commission, its staff, or its consultants to access or otherwise make use of any data associated with partisan registration.

2012

• Johnson not invited to CNN GOP debate - Rep. Michele Bachmann, who hasn't declared she'll run, will debate (By Matthew Reichbach, New Mexico Independent) “I respect the right of CNN and the other sponsors of the June 13 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary debate to apply their own criteria and invite who they choose,” Johnson said in a statement Friday. “It is, however, unfortunate that a significant segment of the Republican Party, and more importantly, millions of independent voters who might be Republican voters, will not have a voice on the stage in Manchester.”
• Undeniably bad news for Obama (By Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post/Right Turn) And finally, the election now becomes less ideological, I would argue, and hence more perilous for Obama. The Republican challenger doesn't have to attack him as a left-wing radical (a loser message with nonideological independent voters); all the GOP opponent needs to do is point to the horrid results obtained by Obama’s policies.
• Obama seeks reshaped image for 2012 run (By Susan Page, USA TODAY) His strength is his base: In combined Gallup polls taken in May, he held the approval of 88% of African Americans and 57% of Hispanics, 88% of liberal Democrats and 58% of those under 30. His vulnerabilities: His approval rating sinks to 42% among whites, 44% among seniors, 38% among independents who don't lean to either party.

KENTUCKY
Independent Candidate for Ky. Governor Could Revitalize Frankfort Politics - Gatewood Galbraith Eyes Kentucky Governor Mansion (Tyler B. Yandall, Yahoo! Contributor Network, Associated Content)

PENNSYLVANIA
Primary changes weighed - Bill would allow independents to participate (Tribune Democrat) House Bill 958, introduced by state Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-Beaver, would require independent voters to register with the polling place 30 days before the primary election.

Low Voter Turnout in Kentucky Closed Primary

KENTUCKY PRIMARY
Independent Kentucky 

April 18, 2011

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The final count for voter turnout in the 2011 Kentucky primary election was 10.34%, becoming one of the lowest voter turnouts in Kentucky history.

Two obvious problems affecting voter turnout in Kentucky are a closed primary system and partisan voter registration, which have both been found to restrict voter participation.

Although some members of the Kentucky Legislature and Michael P. W. Lewis, Chairman of Independent Kentucky, have been introducing bills which would allow open primaries, recent attempts have fallen just short of passing.

This afternoon, Lewis met with US Congressman John Yarmuth, who said he believed partisan voter registration was partly to blame for low primary turnout.

Michael Lewis said he was optimistic about the possibility of a national dialog dedicated to open primaries after his meeting with Yarmuth.

“He seemed to concede some of our points, and was very receptive,” said Lewis.

Independent Kentucky remains dedicated to working toward open primaries and non-partisan voter registration for Kentucky and American voters.
# # #

Contact: William Bowe, Communications Director

Phone: 859-536-1537

Email: wrbowe@gmail.com

www.independentkentucky.org


Only 10 percent turn out to cast their votes (By Janet Patton and Jennifer Hewlett, Lexington Herald Leader) That's the lowest turnout in a gubernatorial primary election since 1999, when only 8.6 percent of voters went to the polls. In 2003, 21 percent voted; in 2007, 22 percent voted.

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS 7/20/10

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Research desk responds: How partisan are 'independent' voters? (By Dylan Matthews, Washington Post/Ezra Klein) Political scientists Donald Green and Alan Gerber found that phonebanking and door-to-door canvassing have a statistically significant effect on voter turnout. They're expensive -- $29 and $38 per vote, respectively -- but they can work. Campaigns, then, can choose whether to spend more resources turning out their base in this way, or to try to gain the support of the few pure independent voters who could be swayed by more centrist policies.
• Election 2010: Board of Elections invalidates Baltimore City independent voters (Baltimore Campaign Finance Examiner, Chet Dembeck) Board of Elections told independent voters that the party had been invalidated and that they would have just two weeks to change their "independent" affiliation to Democrat or Republican -- otherwise the state would automatically designate them as "unaffiliated."
• Maryland invalidates independent voters (By J. Taylor Rushing, The Hill/Ballot Box)

GALLUP POLL

• Democrats Jump Into Six-Point Lead on Generic Ballot (by Lydia Saad, Gallup)
• Democrats retake lead in generic ballot (Chris Cillizza, EXCERPT Washington Post/The Fix) The reason for Democrats' upward movement in the poll appears to be independent voters where Republicans now hold a four point generic edge (43 percent to 39 percent), a major drop from Gallup polling earlier this month that showed the GOP with a 14-point margin.
• Dems Gain Generic Edge After Reform Bill (By Reid Wilson, National Journal/Hotline)
• Democrats take generic ballot lead (By ANDY BARR, Politico)
• Gallup: Dems Take 6-Point Lead In Generic Ballot (By Kyle Trygstad, RealClearPolitics)
• Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 45%, Democrats 36% (Rasmussen Reports)

OPEN PRIMARIES

• Open primaries antithetical to a political party system (Delaware News Journal)
• IL: OUR VIEW: Open primary a good step (EDITORIAL The Journal-Standard)
• IL: Editorial: Open to the idea of primary change (Jacksonville Journal Courier)

GEORGIA

• In Georgia, Dems and Reps use the law to suppress competition (Jay Bookkan, Atlanta Journal Constitution)
• Check out GeorgiaIndependentVoters.org

KENTUCKY

• Independent Jackie Green displeased with lack of Louisville mayoral debate invitations (By Dan Klepal, Louisville Courier-Journal)
• Check out Independent Kentucky here

PENNSYLVANIA

• Independents crucial to Dems' election prospects (By LIZ SIDOTI (AP) Stephen Bouikidis, a founder of the grass-roots organization Independent Pennsylvanians, says it's unfulfilled promises of bipartisanship that influence the state's 1 million independents. "We are very interested in candidates who want to reform. But what we won't respond to is partisanship," he says.
• NOTE: This story was picked up by CBS News, Huffington Post, The Examiner, US News & World Report, and msnbc.comhttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38306714/ns/politics-decision_2010  ....
• Check out Independent Pennsylvanians here

NEW YORK

• New anti-Dem group would mean business (Fredric U. Dicker, EXCLUSIVE, NY Post) Democrats took control of the Senate last year with strong backing from the WFP, but hold only a one-vote majority. Whoever controls the Senate next year will play a key role in overseeing legislative redistricting, and Senate President Malcolm Smith (D-Queens) has vowed to redraw the district lines to wipe out the GOP.
• Will party's support be liability? - Republicans look to tie Democrats to Working Families Party's woes (By RICK KARLIN, Capitol bureau, Albany Times Union)

NYC CHARTER REVISION

• Panel Mulls Pros, Cons Of Partisan Primaries (By: Grace Rauh, NY1) "A million five New Yorkers are disenfranchised from voting in the most decisive elections that affect them and their representative government," said Dick Dadey of Citizens Union.
• Call To Charter Commission: Do More (By Jarrett Murphy, City Limits)
• John Avlon to Charter Revision Commission: Yes on Top Two Open Primary for NYC - VIDEO
• Dick Dadey, Citizens Union: Yes on Top Two Open Primary for NYC - VIDEO

Poli-Tea: A Crisis of Democracy?

Voter Turnout in the Pennsylvania and Kentucky Primary Elections

Is the non-vote a vote of no confidence in the two-party state and duopoly system of government? We are told that yesterday's two most closely watched US Senate primary elections represent a significant defeat for theDemocratic-Republican political establishment: Democrat Joe Sestak defeated career politician Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania (54% to 46%), while Republican Rand Paul routed Trey Grayson in Kentucky (59% to 35%). (ViaMemeorandum.) Yet, these results are not nearly as impressive as they may seem when one considers them in the context of overall voter turnout numbers, which hovered around 30% in both states... Read more

Anti-Establishment Rand Paul Wins Kentucky Closed Republican Primary

Paul wins Ky. Sen. primary in test of tea party from ROGER ALFORD and BRUCE SCHREINER (AP)

Rand Paul defeated Republican establishment favorite Trey Grayson in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, a closely watched race that was a test of the tea party movement's strength..... The Kentucky election was being watched around the country, especially after tea party activists helped to defeat three-term Sen. Bob Bennett in Utah and forced Florida Gov. Charlie Crist to abandon the GOP to make an independent run for the Senate....

See Independent Kentucky for local independent news

I'm an Independent Voter - Can I Vote in Tuesday's Primary in Arkansas, Kentucky or Pennsylvania ?

Tomorrow May 18, 2010, is primary day in some key states for independent voters: Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Arkansas. Lots of media including this one from Liz Halloran at NPR talking about the anti-incumbent mood in the country.

Pennsylvania primaries (thanks to FairVote for these definitions)  are closed (winners in 2008 2343 Clinton, McCain in the primary; November: Obama), meaning that only registered Dems or Repubs can vote in that party's primary. If you're an independent, you're flat outa luck. See Independent Pennsylvanians for redress!

Kentucky (Closed primaries: Clinton, McCain in primaries 2008; November: McCain) Voters of any affiliation may vote for the slate of any party (which seems to mean that independents can vote but can only vote in the party primary that they choose for that election, according to FairVote.) You might want to contact at Michael Lewis on Facebook or at Independent Kentucky.

Arkansas primaries are open except for runoff elections. Voters went for Clinton and Huckabee in the primary and for McCain in the general in 2008. (Little known fact: Arkansas is the birth state of The Hankster...)

See the Open Primaries page on The Hankster for resources!

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS - More on the Health Care Reform Vote, CA Proposition 14

THIRD PARTIES

• Ritchie Capital Founder Plans Third Political Party (FINAlternatives-Hedge Fund and Private Equity News)
• Thane Ritchie Will Announce Political Exploratory Committee in Illinois-Initial Press Conference to be Held 2pm March 23rd in Elmhurst (By: PR Newswire, SOAWorld)
• Dean Barkley joins Illinois effort to start a new party (Marlin Levison, Minneapolis Star Tribune)

PROP 14

• Politicians and Pandering: How Open Primaries will let voters get past the pandering and into the issues (Jeannine English, Huffington Post)
• Pols' behavior dismays voters (San Bernardino Sun)
• Christina Tobin to Speak at Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce Event on Tuesday, March 23 (Tobin for California Secretary of State, Press Release News, Earth Times) NOTE: Tobin opposes Prop 14

HEALTH CARE VOTE

• Health bill a milestone -- or a mistake? (CNN) With Commentary from John Avlon
• Health Care Vote May Prove Troublesome For McMahon (By: Grace Rauh, NY1) Mayor Michael Bloomberg, meanwhile, refused to put his stamp of approval on the bill. "It does not address the total cost of health care in this country," said the mayor. "It does not address the fact that we spend double what they do in Western Europe yet have a lower life expectancy, but it does address coverage."
• Republicans in Disarray (Marc Ambinder, The Atlantic)

COLORADO

• Independent living: Curry enjoys life as a former Democrat (John Colson, Post Independent) Zimsky said last week that the judge is considering motions from both sides, and that he is hoping for a decision on the case in May, which could be in time to get both Riddle's and Curry's name on the ballot in November.

KENTUCKY

• Independents Won't Get to Vote in KY Primaries (WBKO)

NEW YORK

• Cuomo Leads Big (National Journal/Hotline) A majority of NYers want Cuomo to run for GOV rather than for re-election, the poll shows, including 58% of independent voters.

NYC CHARTER REVISION

• 'Cheesy' start to new charter revision commission (By Joe Maniscalco, Your Nabe Brooklyn Courier)
• New Yorkers still like Mayor Michael Bloomberg, but don't want fourth term: poll (BY ADAM LISBERG, DAILY NEWS CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF)

LAST WORD

• Buzzkill at the Tea Party (by Kelley B. Vlahos, Anti-War.com)

Lenora Fulani, Sara Palin, Jackie Salit, Conservatives, Republicans and Independents -- and Shaun White and Michael Lewis...

and the beat goes on....

Hi to all you Hanksteristas!

If you haven't yet read Jackie Salit's oped in the Christian Science Monitor on Tuesday called "Tea Party Activists: Don't confuse them with independents"..... Well, hey -- time's a'wastin'! Really -- read it -- Hit it here...

AND: The 2010 INDIE AWARD goes to Michael Lewis, founder of Independent Kentucky! Congrats, Michael! Keep up the great grassroots independent work!

Lots more below about the California Top Two Open Primary, (the Libertarians and the Northern Calif ACLU Board of Directors don't support....) and the ever-controversial NYC Independence Party (led by Lenora Fulani)....

Uh-oh! I must be watching too much TMZ! (Harvey Levin's a lawyer, ya know!!)

Or was it the Winter Olympics -- Shaun White's SPECTACULAR  run?... or preparation for the Red Carpet on Oscars' Night? Yikes!

This is The Hankster signing off, or on, or well, whatever....

Have a wonderful independent day -- snowboarding wherever you are!

See ya' soon!
NH

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Tea party activists: Don't confuse them with independents - Tea partyers are are disgruntled social conservatives aiming to take control of the Republican Party. Independents are the antiparty force, trying to restructure the partisan political system.  (By Jackie Salit, Christian Science Monitor)
• CNN's Don Lemon Speaks to Independents on Drop in Approval for President Obama (The Hankster) WITH VIDEO
• Palin Nixes Third Party Idea (POSTED BY JOE GANDELMAN, The Moderate Voice)
• Evan Bayh Packs It In (Will Marshall, Huffington Post)
• INDEPENDENTS SCORE INITIAL VICTORY FOR MORE OPEN PRIMARIES IN KENTUCKY (by Ryan Jaroncyk, CAIVN)
• John Podesta says America's political system 'sucks' (Michael Bearak, Digital Journal)
• Most Americans Oppose Campaign Financing Decision, Poll Shows (By Kate Andersen Brower, Business Week) Eighty-one percent of the independent voters polled said they opposed the ruling.
• Gradual reforms of U.S. can rebuild trust (David Brooks, Detroit News) The country has reacted harshly to the course the administration ended up embracing. Obama is still admired personally, but every major proposal -- from the stimulus to health care -- is quite unpopular. Independent voters have swung against the administration. Voters are not reacting to the particulars of each bill. They are reacting against the total activist onslaught.
• Rhode Island Moderate Party announces state slate (By JIM BARON, Pawtucket Times)
• 'Palm-gate' proves centrists' Palin doubts (By John Avlon, Special to CNN)

OPEN PRIMARIES

• California’s Case For Worst (POSTED BY JERRY REMMERS, The Moderate Voice)
• Jon Coupal: `Open primary' system is made to open your wallet (By Jon Coupal, Daily News Los Angeles)
• EVAN BAYH: GOOD-BYE CONGRESS AND YOUR PARTISAN POLITICS (by Steve Peace, CAIVN)
• Closed Primaries in SC? (Public Policy Polling blog)
• We shouldn't have to declare party to vote (Letter to the Editor, CHICAGO Daily Herald)
• Cohen should have been allowed to run (Letter to the Editor, Chgo Daily Herald)
• Tim Russert, Politics and Credible Journalism (Michael Ciric, Chicago Now) [NOTE: Not sure who Tim Russert is)
• ACLU of Northern California Opposes “Top-Two Open Primary” (Ballot Access News)
• Editorial: Other reforms to consider (Austin TX Democrat Herald)
• A triple whammy for California voters--In a short time, a bid for a constitutional convention falters, Assembly Democrats return to partisanship and redistricting comes under attack. (Editorial, LA Times)

NEW YORK

• Former Jet Faulkner Hoping To Blitz Rangel In General Election (By Selena Ross, City Hall News)
• Gillibrand: 'Last Night Wasn't About Harold Ford' (BY ELIZABETH BENJAMIN, Daily News/Daily Politics)
• HaFo Blows Off Reporters To Grip And Grin With Extremist (By Kleinheider, Politics/Nashville post)

SOUTH CAROLINA

• First District Independent candidate explains run (by MICHAEL BROWN, South Carolina Radio Network)

Demand for Open Primaries Picks Up Steam

KENTUCKY

• Senate passes bill to allow independents to vote in primaries (By RONNIE ELLIS, McCreary County Record)
• Kentucky Senate Passes Bill to Require Parties to Let Independents Vote in their Primaries (Ballot Access News)
• Bill to open primaries to Independents passes KY Senate (By Elizabeth Donatelli, WAVE 3 Frankfurt)
•  NOTE: VIDEO includes interview of Michael Lewis
• Senate OKs Independent Voters In Primaries (Jessica Noll, KY Post) SB 53
• Ky. Senate Approves Open Primaries-Measure Expected To Die In Democratic House (WLWT Cincinnati)
• Senate Votes to Open KY Primaries to Independents (WBKO)
• Pushing for the Independent Vote (WTVQ ABC News 36 Lexington) Michael Lewis wants to overturn the state’s closed primary system...

ILLINOIS

• Tribal wins blunt democracy in Illinois feudal election (By Burt Constable | Daily Herald Columnist) "I understand the premise of primary elections - to determine a candidate for a party - but for independent voters such as myself, who frequently cross party lines during elections, we are effectively being discriminated against and not able to vote freely and fairly."
• Low voter turnout likely played role in election turmoil-Close races for Illinois governor nominees have yet to be decided (By JOHN SHARP AND KAREN McDONALD, Peoria Journal Star) "In my opinion, it will depend . . . on whether they are taking stances that will appeal to independents and some Democratic leaners," Hall said. "If (the Republican candidates) insist on a hard line, really conservative position, I think they make that prophecy harder to come to a realization."
• Our Opinion: Open primary would boost participation (THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER)
• Quinn declares victory but Hynes won't concede in Democratic governor's race (Chicago Tribune/Clout Street)

COLORADO

• Bill seeks easier path to ballot for independent candidates-Lawmaker who broke with Democratic Party says measure allows parties to set own deadlines (by Katie Burford, Durango Herald Staff Writer)
• Curry's re-election hopes tied to lawsuit in La Plata County (John Colson, Aspen Times)
• Colorado Bill to Legalize Fusion (Ballot Access News)

FLORIDA

• Maurice Ferre pushing poll results-2010 U.S. Senate race, Kendrick Meek, Maurice Ferre (jim stratton, Orlando Sentinel/Central Florida Political Pulse)

MASSACHUSETTS

• Mass. Republicans Eager To Follow In Brown’s Footsteps (By FRED THYS, WBUR NPR )

RHODE ISLAND

• Raptakis Proposes Ban on Closed Primaries (Chris Boardman, ABC 6) Raptakis said that no political party in the state should expect taxpayers to pay the bill for a party primary which shuts out 335,288 unaffiliated voters.

PENNSYLVANIA

• We, not party bosses, deserve the right to choose candidates (LETTER Allentown Morning Call)

INDEPENDENT VOTER EXTRA: Revolution Breaks Out in Colorado!

Not since the Western Federation of Miners has there been such an outbreak of spirited independence as what we are witnessing now in Colorado. Today's backdrop is an increasingly anti-partisan and independent electorate, a stupidly partisan Congress and a beloved President who can't seem to win for losing (his Party loyalty straining credibility on all fronts....); today's battle cries are "Open Primaries!" "Non-Partisan Elections!" "An Independent on the Federal Elections Commission!"

I hope you enjoy this lively round-up.

Wishing all of you the best (independent of course) New Year ever!

--Nancy

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Give Independents a Voice (LETTER NY Times) from Jackie Salit and Harry Kresky
• Five steps to recovery for Dems (By: Steve Rosenthal, Politico) Now, take a few moments and listen to candidate Obama's stump speeches from 2008 to remind you what attracted millions of new voters, including Independents, to the Democratic Party.
• The end of the Democratic Party (Joseph Farrah, World Net Daily/Between the Lines)
• Democrats Do Not Need to Become More "Moderate" to Win in 2010 - Four Rules for Victory in November (Robert Creamer, Huffington Post)
• With new priorities, Obama and Democrats can recover in 2010 (By Dan Balz, Washington Post)
• The Obama Way (By ROSS DOUTHAT, NY Times) He’s a bipartisan bridge-builder — unless he’s a polarizing ideologue. He’s a crypto-Marxist radical — except when he’s a pawn of corporate interests. He’s a post-American utopian — or else he’s a willing tool of the national security state.
• Poll: More Americans prefer Democratic policies (CNN) "But independents will be the key to the midterms, and the numbers among independents spell bad news for both parties among that important group."

OPEN PRIMARIES

• GOP’s closed-primary plan may violate R.I, not US law (By Eric Tucker, Associated Press, Boston Globe)
• Mollis, GOP at odds over closed primaries (By JIM BARON, Woonsocket Call)
• Closed Rhode Island Republican primary could run afoul of state law (By Associated Press, Boston Herald)
• RI Republicans may try to close primary (By MICHELLE R. SMITH, Associated Press Writer, Nashua Telegraph) The party’s executive committee will consider the plan Jan. 5.
• RI Republican Party May Open Primary to GOPers Only (Chris Boardman, ABC 6 RI)
• LETTER: The Politics of Research--Are open primaries and less gerrymandering the route to evidence-based government? (Miller McCune)
• California Ballot from June 1998 Illustrates a Difficulty with the “Top-Two Open Primary” Measure (Ballot Access News)
• Where’s the Center? More on Polarization and the Parties (by Ed Kilgore, Progressive Fix) Though I favor open (or at least more open) primaries as a general proposition, the idea that this would have an immediate impact on polarization isn’t terribly compelling. It’s a subject that is complicated by definitions: some states with “closed” primaries allow very late changes in party registration, even on Election Day, which certainly gives independents every opportunity to participate.... And remember, too, that registered “independents” are not always “centrists.” [Amen, brother! -NH] NOTE: ProgressiveFix.com is the new face of the Progressive Policy Institute, the main purveyor of policy innovations to Bill Clinton’s New Democrats... 
• Richard Winger: Open primary won't live up to hype (The Record Searchlight/Redding.com)
• California Author of “Top-Two Open Primary” Sets Up Organization to Campaign for His Measure (Ballot Access News)

COLORADO

• Unaffiliated candidate's lengthy waiting period "not fair" (By Lynn Bartels, The Denver Post)
• Curry shifts from Dems, moves to unaffiliated--Plans to focus on constituents, not party politics (Gunnison Country Times Staff Writer)
• Colorado Rep. Kathleen Curry changes from Democrat to unaffiliated (By Lynn Bartels, The Denver Post) Also on HUFFINGTON POST
• Legislator: 'I don't fit' with Dems--Pressure over votes led to her switch in affiliation (By CHARLES ASHBY/The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel)
• An independent mind (By The Daily Sentinel)
• State Rep. Kathleen Curry switches party affiliation (By KATIE REDDING, Colorado Independent)
• Curry’s Affiliation Switch Gets GOP’s Attention In Garfield County (By Don Knox, STATE BILL COLORADO)
• Pre-Session Surprise: Curry’s Party Switch Costs Her Leadership Positions (STATE BILL COLORADO)
• Curry is an independent thinker-District 61 representative switches from Democrat to unaffiliated, saying ‘I just don't fit into either party' (John Colson, Post Independent, Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado)
• Colorado House #2 leader quits Democratic party (Colorado Statehouse Examiner, Hank Lacey)
• La Plata Clerk Wants Federal-Court Ballot Lawsuit Thrown Out (Law Week Colorado)
• Durango, Colorado Newspaper Story on Lawsuit Over Independent Candidate Ballot Restriction (Ballot Access News)
• Clerk wants ballot lawsuit thrown out--County Commissioner Joelle Riddle: Rule unfair to unaffiliated candidates (by Dale Rodebaugh, Durango Herald Staff Writer)

NON-PARTISAN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

• NYS Needs Nonpartisan Municipal Elections--Bloomberg Speechwriter in Exclusive Empire Page Interview (by PoliticalNewsToday.com)
• Interview with author Francis S. Barry (The Empire Page) I wrote the book in hopes that it would lead people to step back and re-consider election reforms generally, and one reform in particular: nonpartisan elections. 
• Currie eyes nonpartisan election bill (By: ADAM NORTHAM, DAILY LEADER, Brookhaven MS)

KENTUCKY

• Deadline for voters to switch parties is this week (By MELINDA CHARLES, Maysville Ledger Independent) Voters who are already registered in Kentucky have until Dec. 31 to change their political affiliation, according to a release from office of Secretary of State Trey Grayson. The deadline also affects candidates who wish to switch political party affiliation and run in their new party's primary election, or those seeking ballot access as an independent, the release said.
• Independent Kentucky Chairman Michael P.W. Lewis was a special guest on "My View Matters" Radio show on December 17th. If you happened to miss it, you can listen to it on Ed Springston's Blog.

REDISTRICTING

• Independent Commissions: Why don't all states use a non-partisan panel to decide on re-districting. (The Live Fix, Chris Cillizza, Washington Post)

FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

• Ethics watchdogs give Obama high marks (UPI.com)
• CREW Unveils Its List of Top Ten Ethics Scandals of 2009 (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) - press release in Earth Times.org) Violations of federal campaign finance law are going unpunished as a result of a gridlocked and toothless Federal Election Commission
• Top 10 ethics scandals of 2009 (Part I) (Seattle Business Ethics Examiner, Jean-Pierre Ruiz)  What, the FEC Is Supposed to Enforce (Not Gut) Campaign Finance Laws?

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

• Decade Brought Change To Campaign Finance (by PETER OVERBY, NPR) Former Federal Election Commission Chairman Bradley Smith says that's it for public funding. "Participating in the public financing system is now considered the mark of an unserious candidate," he says.

INDEPENDENT VOTERS, OBAMA AND HEALTH CARE

• Like Mushrooms, Health Care 'Reform' Flourishes in the Dark - NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg criticizes the bill's lack of transparency. (By JOHN FUND, Wall Street Journal)
• In federal politics, a sharp move leftward (By: GARY WECKSELBLATT, Bucks County Courier Times)
• December 22, 2009 - U.S. Voters Oppose Health Care Plan By Wide Margin, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Voters Say 3-1, Plan Should Not Pay For Abortions (Quinnipiac) Looking at the health care plan, independent voters "mostly disapprove" 58 - 30 percent, as do Republicans 83 - 10 percent. Democrats "mostly approve" 64 - 22 percent. 
• Obama gets lowest approval rating since taking office (NY Post)
• Daily Presidential Tracking Poll (Rasmussen Reports) Seventy-seven percent (77%) of Democrats approve while 88% of Republicans and 62% of unaffiliated voters disapprove.

STATE RACES

• Lincoln Chafee Enters Rhode Island Gov's Race (CBS News/Political Hotsheet) as an independent 
• Senate hopefuls pull no punches in TV clash (By Matt Viser and Eric Moskowitz, Boston Globe) Kennedy, who is an active Libertarian running as an independent, demonstrated last night why Brown has sought to minimize him and Coakley has wanted him involved in the debates: He used nearly every speaking opportunity to challenge Brown from the right, saying the state senator has not done enough to cut spending, limit taxes, and make his voting record accessible.
• Gov. Deval Patrick reflects on his ‘mistake’--Says he ‘underutilized’ grassroots network once in office (By Hillary Chabot, Boston Herald)
• Independent Jana Kemp says she has signatures to make the 2010 gubernatorial ballot (By Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS: The Fight for Open Primaries

KENTUCKY OPEN PRIMARIES BILL

• Independents still out in the cold (By PAUL GLASSER, The State Journal - Frankfort KY) "I'm not an undecided voter," Ritter said. "The current political process is not meeting our needs." 
  
• State should let independents vote in primary (LETTER TO Lexington Herald Leader) House Bill 17, a bill to allow unaffiliated voters to vote in the primary election, is a progressive step forward for Kentuckians.
  
• Early voting and running mate bills pass first step (Bluegrass Politics) “More people will vote. This is good for democracy,” said Mark Ritter, a retired state worker and lieutenant colonel in the Kentucky National Guard who has been a registered independent since 1991.
  

WEST VIRGINIA OPEN PRIMARIES

EDITORIAL: The Results Are In: GOP Legislators Want Independents Included in Republican Primaries (HuntingtonNews.Net) Simply put, the West Virginia Republican Party needs every vote it can get from likeminded individuals, whether they are Independents in primaries or conservative Democrats in general elections. 

TENNESSEE OPEN PRIMARIES

Tennessee should stick with open primary voting (By Gail Kerr, The Tennessean) In Tennessee, voters are notoriously independent. We have a long history of electing moderate candidates who have traits voters in both parties find attractive... Voters here like that they can pick the person, not the party. And that's how it should stay.

CALIFORNIA OPEN PRIMARIES

Maldonado: Now Accepting Friends (Santa Cruz.com) “This is why we need an open primary,” Maldonado told reporter Kurtis Alexander, “so we can keep extremists like Mr. Keeley from coming to Sacramento.” But wait! Keeley now works for the reform group California Forward, which supports open primaries.

Independent leader Jim Holbert files for Kentucky 5th Congressional District

Laurel resident running for Congress

Special to the Times-Tribune
July 9, 2008

Jim Holbert, Independent candidate for the Kentucky 5th Congressional District U.S. House of Representatives seat, filed his nominating petition with the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office in Frankfort on Monday. The filing puts Holbert on the ballot in the 5th District for the Nov. 4 General Election for Congress.

Holbert’s candidacy has been on record with the Federal Election Commission since March, and he has been actively conducting a grassroots campaign in the District on a progressive, populist platform.

Holbert outlines his positions saying, “We’ve got to stop ‘politics as usual’ and start bringing common sense to our regional and national problems. We need trade and industrial policies that will bring back good middle-class jobs. We must start enforcing the existing laws which are supposed to protect Americans from such problems as illegal immigration and unsafe job conditions. And we’ve got to de-fund and defeat the forces behind terrorism through smarter oil, energy and economic policies. We won’t do it through open-ended wars. Our stated objectives in Iraq and Afghanistan have been achieved, and it’s time to bring our troops home.”

Holbert, who resides with his family in Laurel County, is a former Army and Coast Guard officer who works as an Emergency Medical Service helicopter pilot in southeast Kentucky.

To get involved, email contact@jimholbert2008.com
http://www.jimholbert2008.com