What's the Matter with Us? (Hint: It's not the people, it's the parties)

Thomas Frank (What's the Matter with Kansas: How Conservatives Won the Heart of America) presents an interesting take on the "fake populism" that's so popular right now. He's probably right that the Dems are satisfied that "those people" (i.e. disaffected independents) have nowhere else to go. Of course Jackie Salit (How the Independent Movement Went Left by Going Right) & Co. know better... Several "free market" groups think the Tea Party "movement" should "work within the [two-party] system"... RI Repubs want to close their primaries to keep out independents, and Thurman Hart pens a wonderfully rich little piece on the value and proper positioning of nonpartisan elections... The Denver Post calls for fairness in Colorado's election laws, which currently discriminate against independents... Jana Kemp has made it official -- she'll run as an indie for Gov of Idaho.... And Charlie Rangel wouldn't bet his house on a Dem mayor in 2013 -- After all, once you go independent, you are quite transcendent!

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Watch Out for GOP Populism (By THOMAS FRANK, Wall Street Journal) For millions of disaffected independent voters, meanwhile, the tail-chasing logic behind the "down with big business" rhetoric probably won't make any difference.
• The Tea Party Teens (By DAVID BROOKS, NY Times) The Rasmussen organization asked independent voters whom they would support in a generic election between a Democrat, a Republican and a tea party candidate. The tea party candidate won, with 33 percent of independents. Undecided came in second with 30 percent. The Democrats came in third with 25 percent and the Republicans fourth with 12 percent.
• liberalism, it's hangover time--America isn’t eager to embrace Obama’s ‘leftward ho!’ after all (By Jonah Goldberg, USA Today/OpEd)
• Fundraising Woes Could Hold Back the GOP in 2010 (By Suzy Khimm, Newsweek/The Gaggle)
• No Tea Party--A grassroots movement is more effective (By Colin Hanna, Washington Times)  NOTE: Colin Hanna is president of Let Freedom Ring.
• Tea Parties Versus The Two Parties--How A Non-Party Wins The Hearts Of Independent Swing Voters (BY JOHN M. O’HARA, FOR THE BULLETIN, Philadelphia) NOTE: John O'Hara is with the Heartland Institute)

OPEN PRIMARIES

• RI GOP leaders advance closed primary plan (By MICHELLE R. SMITH, Nashua Telegraph) Under current rules, unaffiliated voters can decide on primary day to vote as a Republican or Democrat. The proposal would require that primary voters register as a Republican 90 days before the election.
• R.I. Republicans debate primary open only to registered members (By Richard C. Dujardin, Providence Journal)
• RI Republican leaders advance plan to close primary; push to make change for 2010 primary (MICHELLE R. SMITH, LA Times)
• RI GOP Mulls Members-Only Primaries (Chris Boardman, ABC6 R.I.)
• RI GOP Leaders Advance Closed Primary Plan (NY Times)
• Schwarzenegger enters final year plagued by overwhelming budget problems, low approval (JULIET WILLIAMS, LA Times)
• California Private Health Insurance PAC Contributes $100,000 to Campaign in Support of “Top-Two Open Primary” (Ballot Access News)
• An odd goose from a lame duck (By Thurman Hart, NJ.com) First of all, the entire purpose of having nonpartisan elections is to separate individual candidates from the power of political parties. Separating nonpartisan elections from partisan elections is a logical extension of that. Combining nonpartisan elections with partisan elections is going to be somewhat of a logistical nightmare - at best. At worst, it will make the "nonpartisan" nature of the election a running joke (as if they weren't already).
• Keyes Faction of California American Independent Party Likely to Exclude Independents from Voting in Party’s Primary (Ballot Access News)
• Manipulating the Process To Get the Result You Want Isn't Reform (by Robert Cruickshank, California Progress Report) Since it's not possible to draw districts in California that are competitive without truly massive gerrymandering and diluting the preferences of the electorate, which is much more strongly Democratic than anything else, Guardino and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group are throwing their weight behind Abel Maldonado's top two primary, which he got on the June ballot only through an act of blackmail.
• California's scary sneak preview (By Ezra Klein, Washington Post) The lesson of California is that a political system too dysfunctional to avert crisis is also too dysfunctional to respond to it. The difficulty is not economic so much as it is political; solving our fiscal problem is a mixture of easy arithmetic and hard choices, but until we solve our political problem, both are out of reach...
• A first look at the June 2010 Ballot Propositions (LA Republican Examiner, John Stammreich) The top-two system "wipes minor party and independent candidates out of the general election campaign season...

COLORADO

• Unfair requirements for independent candidates (Editorial, By The Denver Post) While we don't believe the rules should change specifically for Curry or Riddle, we do believe ballot access should be the same for all candidates regardless of party or non-affiliation.
• Rep. Curry's independence costs her two posts (By Tim Hoover, The Denver Post)
• Unaffiliated Curry says party change was welcomed (by Brent Gardner-Smith, Aspen Daily News)
• Gov. Ritter may not run in 2010 (by Liz Sidoti and Steven Paulson, Durango Herald)

IDAHO

• Eye On Boise: Kemp launches independent campaign (Spokesman Review)
• Jana Kemp kicks off independent governor run (Idaho Statesman)
• Former lawmaker Jana Kemp makes independent run for governor official (Idaho Statesman)

NEW YORK

• As Clout Grows, Working Families Party Faces a Question: Has It Reached Too Far? (By MICHAEL POWELL, NY Times) Some real estate professionals, intent on a direct challenge to the Working Families Party, have taken partial control of the Independence Party. They poured about $700,000 into races in 2009.
• Rangel: 'Gotta Learn To Live' With Bloomberg (BY ELIZABETH BENJAMIN, Daily News/Daily Politics)
• ACORN's City Hall branch (NY Post)

tradition

Welcome to 2010 -- Year of the Independent! Dem and Repub parties are bleeding members, ranks of independents continue to rise

The nation's foremost ballot access expert Richard Winger continues to wage a formidable effort against the popular open "Top Two" primary referendum that will be on the June ballot in California. While I'm on the other side of the issue, I appreciate Winger's point about the open primary not being a guarantee of electing so-called "moderate" candidates. IMHO open primaries might be "bad" for parties, but they are good for independent voters and for our democracy, and I'm not particularly interested in controlling the ideological outcome of elections. I have infinitely more faith in the American people than I do in the corruption of our political parties to guide our country forward. Do we the people need to develop politically? Yes. And because we are a democracy, WE have a much better chance of leading the country forward than do factional partisan special interests.  >>>>> 

And while California will be voting on a citizen referendum, the Republicans in Rhode Island are following their partisan brothers who have sued the state of Idaho to close the primary there and require partisan registration. Independent voters are co-defendants in this important case that will go to trial in February or March.  >>>>>

Watch those two women in Colorado Joelle Riddle and Kathleen Curry -- they're cooking up quite a puzzle for the good ol' boys' clubs in a delightfully independent state!  >>>>>

The Hankster was in attendance for the New Year's Day inauguration of Mayor Mike Bloomberg, New York City's first independent mayor. >>>>>


INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Partisan Trends: Fewer Identify as Democrats (CQ Politics/Polltracker) The change since Obama’s election is that the number of Democrats has fallen by six percentage points and the number of voters not affiliated with either major party has grown by six.
• Partisan Trends--Number of Democrats Falls to New Low, Down Six Points Since Election 2008 (Rasmussen Reports)

OPEN PRIMARIES and other POLITICAL REFORM

• Richard Winger:`Top-two' open primary is no guarantee of moderation (Daily News Los Angeles) When someone tells you that we need a top-two open primary to get more moderate politicians in office, ask them for evidence. Don't forget, registered independents in California can already vote in any Democratic or Republican primary for state office and Congress.
• Voter Outreach: Statehouse Insider: Lawmakers 'hit ground running' in '10 session (ERICA FELCI, THE DESERT SUN)
• California Candidate Asks State Supreme Court to Overturn Prior Affiliation Requirement for Candidates in Primaries (Ballot Access News)
• To-Do List Grows for Leadership Group (NY Times, By DANIEL WEINTRAUB) “The open primary,” Mr. Guardino said, would help “free well-meaning legislators from the grips of the party caucuses.”
• Open primaries GOP's best bet (Asbury Park Press)
• As Mayor Sits by, Race for County Head Is Wide Open (NY Times, By DAN MIHALOPOULOS) John Daley: “I’m to the point where I believe we should do open primaries for any race,” he said. “The voters will decide.”
• R.I. House leaders have limits when it comes to pension change (By Randal Edgar, Katherine Gregg and Steve Peoples, Providence Journal State House Bureau) The drive by a faction of the state Republican Party to limit who can vote in future GOP primaries may not be legal
• R.I. GOP to discuss closed primary this week (By ERIC TUCKER Associated Press Writer, The Day) The proposal is intended to bar unaffiliated voters - who outnumber Republicans and Democrats and who can opt into either party on primary day to cast a ballot - from unduly influencing the outcome of the GOP primary.
• McEntee: Let legislators steam: Utahns need to vent (By Peg McEntee, Salt Lake Tribune) To Glenn Wright, Fair Boundaries' field director, it's time to let the voters choose whether to revamp the redistricting process, starting with the commission, which would make its recommendations to the Legislature
• We should consider a nonpartisan Legislative (by Linda Valdez, The Arizona Republic) In our state, people are increasingly moving away from parties. October figures from the Secretary of State's Office show that both the Republican and Democratic parties lost voters since July. Independents increased by 17,992, which means those who reject party affiliation now account for 915,981 of the state's 3.1 million registered voters. Republicans are at 1.13 million; Democrats have 1.04 million.

COLORADO

• Law considered for unaffiliated candidates--State Rep. Curry wants to change waiting period required to be on the ballot (by The Associated Press, Durango Herald)
• Curry drops Dems, becomes Independent (By Leslie Jorgensen, THE COLORADO STATESMAN)
• In the Colorado House, leaders must be followers (By Alan Prendergast in Politics, Denver Westword)
• A decade of political change (By Floyd Ciruli, Denver Post) Much of Colorado's bellwether status is a reflection of its well-educated voters, its moderate politics, and its large bloc of unaffiliated and weak partisan voters.

NY POLITICS

• Barron eyes speaker’s job (By Tequila Minsky, Caribbean Life)
• WHO'S WHO--Strictly Political for Jan. 3, 2010 (By Tom Wrobleski, Staten Island Advance) Swearing-in ceremony: One error we heard that stood out: Frank Morano was identified as the chairman of the Independence Party. That title actually belongs to Sarah Lyons.
• Transcript of Mayor Bloomberg's inaugural address (NYC.gov Press Release)
• Bloomberg Sworn In To Third Mayoral Term (By: NY1 News) with video of full ceremony
• Make it work, Mike: Mayor Bloomberg has set the right agenda for his third term (Daily News)
• New York City Mayor Bloomberg Sworn In for 3rd Term (Associated Press, Wall Street Journal)
• NY Mayor Bloomberg begins 3rd term (AFP) 
• NY Mayor Bloomberg to promote immigration reform (Daniel Trotta, Reuters)
• Bloomberg Starts Next NYC Mayor Term as Volunteer (By Henry Goldman, Business Week)
• An unmistakable political shift-Someone has to make the case that retail jobs are good jobs (Crain's New York)
• Bloomberg: Take III (by Courtney Gross, Gotham Gazette) By far, many say the mayor's mounting challenge in a third term will be dealing with new political forces, including the ambitious new public advocate and comptroller and a more forceful City Council.
• WFP's 'hire' power-Staff now council aides (By SALLY GOLDENBERG and DAVID SEIFMAN, NY Post) Councilmen Jimmy Van Bramer, Jumaane Williams and Brad Lander were all endorsed by the WFP, and each paid for the campaign services of the left-leaning party's corporate arm, Data and Field Services. The three pols then hired campaign workers provided by Data and Field Services as council aides.

Happy New Year 2010!

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)

columbus stars

Open Primaries, Independent Parties, and the Authorities

Must read on Redding News Review -- Lenora Fulani explains why she did not support Bill Thompson in November's mayoral race in NYC.... *******   With more than 40% of the country being independent, opening up the primaries is an important democratic (small "d") electoral reform that would promote non-partisanship and allow independent voters access to the first round of voting. Californians will vote in June 2010 on a "Top Two" version of open primaries, and while this concept is very popular at the grassroots, the loudest opposition is coming from minor party spokespeople like Rich Winger of Ballot Access News. However, Jon Fleichman at Fox & Hounds Daily (a news site dedicated to the principle that "an economically healthy California is a boon for all citizens") unintentionally makes the best argument in support of open primaries.   *****   And speaking of third party voices, I was glad to see that the Independent Political Report picked up The Hankster's coverage of the attacks on the Working Families Party--maybe one day IPR will recognize the NYC IP as well....   ******* Mike Bloomberg apparently has something else in common with Fred Newman (in addition to their both being independents): neither of them gives grades!  *******  NY Post's Frederic U. Dicker has really lost it -- he seems to be living in a place where up is down....  *******   And finally, lots of interesting analysis of health care, Obama, independents, and the current nature of our political culture.  ******  Oh, and one more thing! Technorati's got itself a brand new bag. See why I care at The End.

MUST READ

• The Independence Party and the Black community: A power partnership (By Lenora Fulani, Redding News Review)

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Applicants to California Redistricting Commission Broken Down by Political Party Membership (Ballot Access News)
• Voter angst: Nation might see third party rising (Chris Austin, Knoxville News Sentinel)

OPEN PRIMARIES/ POLITICAL REFORM

• Effort launched to end marginalization of independent voters (By MARTIN WISCKOL, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER)
• The Dark Side of the California Open Primary Proposal (By Richard Winger, California Progress Report)
• Open primary won't open Legislature (Richard Winger, San Bernardino Sun)
• Colorado Legislator Will Introduce Bill to Ease Independent Candidate Prior Registration Hurdle (Ballot Access News)
• Maybe it's time to drop political labels (By Mizell Stewart III, Evansville Courier Press - IL)
• Nestande wants change in the capitol (The Desert Sun) Will you support the open primary initiative on the June ballot? Yes. I believe in the competitive market place of ideas. I am confident that the principle of local control of government vs. a model of command and control from Sacramento and Washington, D.C., will prevail regardless of party affiliation.
• Random Thoughts on the Political Scene (By Jon Fleischman, Fox & Hounds) The so-called “open primary” is supposed to reduce the role of special interests in the legislature, right? Yet the measure, if passed, would make it vastly more expensive for anyone to get elected to the legislature (successful candidates will have had to campaign to every voter in their district, twice). Hmmm.

GOVERNORS RACES

• Independent candidate to join Senate debates (By DAN RING, Mass Live/The Republican) Brown, Coakley and Kennedy will face off in the first televised debate on Tuesday. The debate will be taped, and it is scheduled to be aired on WBZ-TV Channel 4 in Boston from 8 to 9 a.m. on Dec. 27 and on WSBK-TV Channel 38 in Boston from 7 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 28.
• Decision-making publicity suits Goodman just fine (By Michael Mishak, Las Vegas Sun) Goodman was changing his party affiliation from Democrat to nonpartisan, a necessary step if he decides to run as an independent candidate for governor next year — something he’s been hinting at for months.

REFORM PARTY

• Reform Party Calls Teleconference National Committee Meeting (Ballot Access News)

WORKING FAMILIES PARTY

• What Is Bill Thompson Doing With His Email List? Organizing 2.0 and This Next Generation of Web Apps (Chrissie Brodigan, Huffington Post)
• Working Familes Party “Taking Heat” (Independent Political Report)
• Target Practice (BY ELIZABETH BENJAMIN, Daily News/Daily Politics)
• Source: More WFP Subpoenas (By Azi Paybarah, NY Observer)
• Councilman-elect Dromm Subpoenaed (By Azi Paybarah, NY Observer)

BLOOMBERG

• Obama gets an 'A' for effort from Schwarzenegger (From CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart, Political Ticker)
• Losers abound in NY politics this year (Fredric U. Dicker, NY Post) Among the losers: * Bloomberg, whose surprisingly narrow election victory weakened him even further. and "the leftist Working Families Party"

BLOGS: RECOMMENDED READING

• Dean's Blind Spot (Ronald Brownstein, the Alantic)
• GROWING CLOUT OF INDEPENDENTS IS A GOP NIGHTMARE (American Opinion, by Jackie Salit)
• The Flawed Logic of William Kristol (By: SJGulitti, FireDogLake/The Seminal) To date, had independents firmly embraced the principles of the conservative movement generally or the G.O.P. in particular, the percentage of voters identifying as Republicans would show a marked increase and so far that is not the case. I would argue that the shift to the right among independent voters is far from solid and is conditional, being subject to a set of factors that will likely change by the time of the 2012 election.
• Why Obama Is Failing (By Robert Parry, Consortium News) By failing to do the hard work of building institutions, the progressive community has largely sidelined itself, sitting in the stands and booing the players on the field.

THE END

On the 3rd anniversary of The Hankster, I complained in a post that I was losing authorities on Technorati. Well, I'm not sayin' somebody was listenin', but... Technorati has changed! They changed the way they  calculate authorities and guess what -- we're doin' swell! Watch out, HuffPo, The Hankster's gaining on you! And here's the reason: independents are the fastest growing political constituency in the country. Keep up the great work, indies! And keep challenging those authorities, wherever you run into them!!

LEGENDmag

independent lifestyle

Independents Angry White Men? What about all the angry progressive black, white, Latina and Asian women and men?

Media discussion of a return to 90s "angry white male" profile of independent voters BIG OMISSION -- the face of independents is increasingly black, Latino, Asian, female, and progressive.... but let 'em rant! [See section 6 of Jackie Salit's How the Independent Movement Went Left by Going Right]  Whoever independents are, Mark Silva got it right -- they dislike both parties. Independents don't like partisanship. Period... ****** Discussion of open primaries (there's a "Top Two" referendum on the ballot in California in June 2010) is really heating up! Proponents think open primaries is good for democracy, opponents think minor parties won't be able to hold onto their 2%... What do YOU think??... ******* The Working Families Party is taking the heat for becoming relevant in NYC's recent election... ****** And here's the good news: Frank MacKay's maneuver to take over the Reform Party by conference call was deemed outside the law by a US District Court judge..... Now, there's a wise decision!

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Angry voters may revive state GOP (Nolan Finley, Detroit News) But Republicans must be mindful that those critical independent voters aren't yet rushing to the GOP as much as they are fleeing from Democrats.
• WSJ/NBC News Poll: Tea Party Tops Democrats and Republicans (By Susan Davis, Wall Street Journal/Washwire)
• Poll: 2010 could be 'year of the angry white male' redux (By Dave Cook, Christian Science Monitor) Battleground Poll data shows independent voters now rank 13 percentage points higher than Democrats [77 percent versus 64 percent] in saying they are likely to vote in the next election.
• Poll: Dissatisfaction could spell trouble for Democrats in 2010 (By Mark Silva, LA Times) "I've come to the conclusion on independents . . . that what really drives them is, they dislike both parties, and they dislike the party in power more..."

OPEN PRIMARIES and ELECTORAL REFORM

• Cornyn Optimistic But Wants RNC Help (By Reid Wilson, National Journal/Hotline) "If there's any lesson that people should have learned about New York 23, it's that when you have closed primaries and a closed-door selection process, people are going to find a way to express their will," Cornyn said. "I think the answer to all that is contested, open primaries, and our goal of course is to, hopefully the Republican nominee, whoever that is, will not be bloodied and broke at the end of the process, because ultimately the goal is to win the general election. I think through that open primary process, all that will be resolved in a satisfactory way."
• Senate Approves Bill Allowing Non-Partisan Municipal Elections To Move To November (NJ Today)
• KY: Time running out to change your political party affiliation (Thomas McAdam, Louisville City Hall Examiner) NOTE: BR 222, the open primary bill that newly elected State Senator Jimmy Higdon pre-filed in the state assembly last March, would: “permit a registered independent to vote in the primary of one party for each primary…provide that a primary candidate shall not be a registered independent [and] provide that electronic voting machines be reprogrammed to allow a registered independent to vote for a party’s candidates in a primary.”  Higdon was elected with support from Michael P.W. Lewis and Independent Kentucky.
• ACLU Files Lawsuit Against Three Nebraska Ballot Access Restrictions (Ballot Access News)
• Letter [Richard Winger]: Problems plague open primary (Appeal Democrat - CA)

STATE RACES

• My View: This Kennedy, too, can win (Richard Rubino, Salem News)
• Idaho GOP questions if guv hopeful is nonpartisan (JOHN MILLER, The Olympian)
• Vegas mayor changing parties, mulling governor bid (Mercury News/The Associated Press)
• The debate voters deserve: Coakley vs. Brown (Boston Globe Editorial) HINT: The Boston Globe doesn't think voters deserve to hear from independent candidate Joseph Kennedy...

WORKING FAMILIES PARTY

• More incoming councilmen acknowledge being approached by feds concerning Working Families Party (BY ELIZABETH BENJAMIN AND CELESTE KATZ, DAILY NEWS)
• Williams: WFP Probe Result Of 'Sour Grapes' (BY ELIZABETH BENJAMIN, Daily News/Daily Politics)
• Mayor Jolted—Will It Continue? (Western Queens Gazette) The Working Families Party could be a headache for the mayor in his third term. The party backed several new councilmembers who were elected in November, some of them from The Bronx. They were among The Bronx delegation members in the coalition that coaxed lawmakers from other boroughs to join in defeating the Bloomberg-sponsored project by an eye-opening 45 to 1 vote.
• SI probe of Families $$ (By DAVID SEIFMAN, NY Post)
• Pols vow to help Working Families Party probe (BY CELESTE KATZ, DAILY NEWS CITY HALL BUREAU)
• Preet the Terrible (By Reid Pillifant, NY Observer)
• Is the WFP's game up? (NY Post)
• Former Suffolk WFP Chair Will Campaign To Oust Master, Lewis and Williams As WFP State Chairs (By Edward-Isaac Dovere, City Hall) “The plan here is to elect a new slate of chairmen, co-chairmen. It’s time to put the party back in a healthy direction,” Pohanka said, announcing his intentions in an exclusive interview with City Hall. “I want to run for state chairman in September and be able to open up the books for everyone to see, just like every other party—what their salaries are, to know where the money’s going from one campaign account to the other, to simplify it.”
• The ACORNing of the WFP (by Casey Seiler, Albany Times Union/Capitol Confidential)
• Woeful families matters (By DAVID SEIFMAN City Hall Bureau Chief, NY Post)

REFORM PARTY

• Federal Court in New York Issues Ruling in Internal Reform Party Dispute (Ballot Access News) On December 16, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph F. Bianco, a Bush, Jr., appointee, issued an opinion in MacKay v Crews, eastern district, 09-cv-2218. He ruled that the 2008 national convention of the Reform Party in Texas was a valid convention. Therefore, the national officers elected at that convention are the rightful holders of the party’s trademarks and logos. Those officers are: chair David Collison, vice-chair Rodney Martin, secretary Janelle Skinner-Weill, and treasurer Beverly Kennedy.
•  DECISION PDF

totally non-partisan

Major Parties, Minor Parties and Anti-Parties

Momentum continues to build for open primaries in California, and most but not all partisans (including minor partisans like Libertarians and Greens) don't support primaries that would allow everyone including nonpartisans to participate in the first round of voting... NYC Independence Party (aka the "anti-party Party" because of its support for nonpartisan elections and open primaries) brought in $65K at Monday night's Anti-Corruption Awards recognizing grassroots activists. Not a bad follow-up to the final count 150K votes in November's citywide election for Mayor... Meanwhile, the Working Families Party is under the gun....

OPEN PRIMARIES

• Make party bosses cringe by voting for open primary (By thomas d. elias, Mercury News)
• The problem with open primaries (By Richard Winger, San Fransisco Bay Guardian) Washington used top-two once, in 2008. Out of eight U.S. House seats, 8 statewide state races, and 123 legislative races, only one incumbent was defeated in the primary. The only real change in Washington in 2008 was the elimination of minor party and independent candidates from the November election.
• Low turnout? Of course, because primaries are a farce (LETTER Boston Globe) Why do we hold publicly funded elections for private political parties? Why can we not belong to more than one political party at a time? Why is one’s political party affiliation a matter of public record? Does this not violate the premise of the secret ballot?
• Misguided move to the middle (By STEVEN GREENHUT, Special to the Orange County Register)

2009 ELECTIONS

• New York Finally Releases Final Figures for 23rd District Special Election (Ballot Access News)

GOVERNORS RACES

• Siena poll: Gov’s ratings get ‘modest boost’ (by Casey Seiler, Albany Times Union/Capitol Confidential)
• Coakley balking at 1-on-1 debates-Rebuffs Brown over exclusion of 3d rival (By Matt Viser, Boston Globe) But Coakley, the state’s attorney general, said she is reluctant to participate in any debates that do not include a little-known independent candidate, Joseph L. Kennedy.
• Friedman gives up second bid for governor--Humorist joins Democratic primary for state agriculture commissioner. (By Jason Embry, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF)
• Jim Boren: Lieutenant governor job for the ambitious (Merced Sun Star) Abel Maldonado reshapes California

NYC IP

• Islander hailed for work on behalf of Independence Party (By KIAWANA RICH, STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE) The Tenth Annual Anti-Corruption Awards ceremony was held last night at Wolfgang's Tribeca Steakhouse, Manhattan, and the honorees included a Stapleton resident who was recognized for her efforts on behalf of the Independence Party.
• Course Of Bloomberg's Charter Commission Still Uncharted (By Chris Bragg, City Hall) And as he sought the Independence Party line this spring, Bloomberg told party leaders he was open to again looking at non-partisan elections, which is also a pet cause of party activists.
• New York City Council Races Get More Competitive (by Rachel Fauss, Gotham Gazette) Incumbent Kendall Stewart did not fare as well in District 45. In the Democratic primary, six candidates appeared on the ballot, and Jumaane Williams won by a margin of 11 percent, getting 3,426 votes to Stewart’s 2,392. Stewart remained on the ballot for the general election on the Independence Party line, and Williams won by a margin of 60 percent.

WORKING FAMILIES PARTY

• Working Families Party Documents Subpoenaed (By DAVID W. CHEN, NY Times)
• Feds asking WFP for 'information' (By DAVID SEIFMAN, City Hall Bureau Chief, NY Post)
• WFP Subpoenaed (BY ELIZABETH BENJAMIN, Daily News/Daily Politics)
• U.S. Attorney Subpoenas Working Families Party, and Bill de Blasio Too (By Azi Paybarah, NY Observer)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS - 12/14/09

• Rasmussen's fictional "Tea Party candidate" bested the Republican in a recent survey...
• If Abel Maldonado is confirmed as California's lt. gov., he will put people ahead of party...
• Walter Moore, former independent candidate for mayor of LA talks about voter turnout and partisanship...
• Repubs in Virginia's 5th CD decide on primary over convention...

6 am

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS - 12/12/09

• CT: John Mertens challenges Chris Dodd on the Lieberman line, to what end?
• ME: Independent Gov candidate Alex Hammer speaks for small business and Obama's party dilemma
• Don Campbell thinks it's time for independents to 'rise up'
• NC: Repubs vote to keep open primary
• AL: Alabama Files Brief in 11th Circuit in Ballot Access Case (Ballot Access News)
• PA: Partisan redistricting helps pols elect themselves
• GA: Kasim Reed certified as Atlanta's mayor (recount reveals 1 extra vote - how's that for accuracy???)
• NY: Charles Barron unveils NYC Council reform platform

nyc council reform now!

Lenora Fulani Supports Barron-Avella Reforms for New York City Council Legislative and Budgeting Processes

Dr. Lenora Fulani spoke in support of reforming City Council at a press conference Sunday on the steps of City Hall held by NY City Councilman Charles Barron to announce his candidacy for Speak of City Council and to announce the Barron-Avella NYC Council democratic reform movement.

For video, click here.

Fulani said that while "Charles and I have our differences tactically, we have a strong connection to fighting against poverty." She said she supports reforming the government, but that one difference that she has with Councilman Barron is that he believes you can reform the Democratic Party from inside. "I don't, which is why I'm an outsider, which is why I'm an independent."

Fulani noted that had the Democratic Party had the 150,000 votes [final count] that the Independence Party won on November 3rd in the Mayoral election, they would be preparing for their inauguration.

She emphasized that this is a time for everyone -- "the Mayor, the Council and the citizens" -- to work together.

For Councilman Barron's response, click here.

Reforms are aimed at decreasing the power of the Speaker. Currently the Speaker determines the selection of Chairs to Committees; what Committee Council Members will serve on; how much capital and expense funds each Council Member receives for their districts, and whether a Council Member's legislation with be drafted, be granted a hearing, or receive the light of day for a vote or die in Committee.

Reforms would include:

• A predetermined equitable distribution of capital and expense funds for Council Members
• Reforms in the legislative process
• Reforms in the process of selection of Committee Chairs and Committee assignments
• Reforms in the process of budget negotiations with the Mayor

Independents Reaffirm Support for Reed in Atlanta Mayoral Campaign

November 30, 2009

Atlanta, GA --- Georgia Independent Voters held a press conference on Monday
morning, November 30th, on the eve of the December 1st city runoff election for
mayor. Before taking questions, GIV members gave a brief statement. Here is a
transcript of the statement:

Murray Dabby: “Good morning. Thank you all for coming. As representatives
of Georgia Independent Voters (“GIV”), part of a grassroots network of
independents around the country who are giving voice to the growing strength
of independents, we are proud to have endorsed Kasim Reed for mayor of
Atlanta in the general election. GIV first met with Kasim Reed during the
summer and endorsed him in the weeks prior to the general election. With
this press conference, we are re-affirming that endorsement in this run-off
election.

“GIV sees Kasim as part of a new generation of Democratic party leaders who
see and appreciate the importance of independents in shaping the political
landscape across the country. Independents played a critical role in the
election of Barack Obama, over and above more partisan candidates, and were
instrumental in shaping the presidential race overall. In NYC, independents
just elected an independent mayor giving Mike Bloomberg the support to be
victorious in his recent difficult election. There are also important
actions being organized by independents for independent political
initiatives, and for open primaries and non-partisan elections in states
around the country. We see Kasim Reed as the kind of leader who can
understand the importance of this national debate and who has expressed a
willingness to add his voice to these efforts.”

Mike Pickering: “Over the course of our extensive screening process, and
since then, of all of the candidates in the campaign, Kasim has shown the
greatest level of support and engagement with the concerns and questions
independents are raising nationwide and here in Georgia. In addition he has
demonstrated an awareness of the nature of the developing independent
movement. While Kasim is a strong and progressive Democrat, in our
conversations he clearly committed to working with independents to
understand, address and bring the influence of the mayor’s office to bear to
advocate on issues of importance to independents. In a statement to GIV
several weeks prior to the general election, Kasim stated "I am very grateful
to receive the endorsement of Georgia Independent Voters. A political
process that is open to all is a major concern of mine. Too many voters are
disillusioned and kept out of the political process. As Mayor, I will work
with the Governor and the state legislature towards opening Georgia's
electoral process, and making it more accessible to all voters."

“In Georgia, key electoral reforms discussed with Reed include instituting
same-day or automatic voter registration to streamline the voting process and
increase voter participation; drastically lowering Georgia’s ballot-access
restrictions in order to level the playing field for independent and nonmajor-
party candidates in Georgia; and creation of an independent
redistricting commission for the important upcoming redistricting effort in
response to the 2010 census. Reed’s effectiveness as a legislator and his
openness to these issues of democracy and fairness are a primary basis for
our endorsement.”

Jamel Thigpen: “In addition to these concerns, we are endorsing Reed because
during our second interview with him he stated would move “muscularly” on
youth development. Now, when he said muscularly I think of Hulk Hogan coming
in flexing his 24 inch pythons! Seriously though, Kasim feels youth
development is key and a very important issue. Re-opening the recreation
centers in Atlanta is part of Kasim’s move on youth development. As someone
who has taken part in both city-funded afterschool and independent out-ofschool
programs, I understand all too well the importance of community
recreation centers. By turning Atlanta’s recreation centers into Centers of
Hope, Kasim will give young people a place they can go to be constructive
participants in society.”

Thyrsa Gravely: “A non-partisan election is an important aspect of voting to
independents. Georgia Independent Voters placed priority on candidates who
are independent as well as those who agree with some voting rights issues
important to independent voters. A decision-making factor for GIV in this
mayoral race was not only the candidate with respect for independents but
also the candidate with the most effective platform to implement a strategy
to improve Atlanta. One reason GIV endorsed Kasim Reed is his action plan to
resolve issues of Atlanta. Kasim Reed has laid out a plan to fight crime,
improve our youth, and address budget issues. We believe Kasim is the better
leader whose plan will be implemented and result in positive change for
Atlanta.”

Murray Dabby: “The alliance between Kasim Reed and Georgia Independent Voters
is another example of the ways that progressive major-party politicians, and
grassroots organizations of independent voters can work to generate creative
ways to reinvigorate our democracy. We are proud to throw our support behind
Kasim Reed for mayor, and will be proud to work shoulder-to-shoulder with him
once he is mayor toward the development of the City of Atlanta.”

sign of the times

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS - Gaining Influence in Atlanta, Utah and NYC

Atlanta Mayoral candidates Mary Norwood and Kasim Reed fight for Tuesday's African American, gay and independent vote. Utah is 39% independent. And the New York "All-The News-That-Money-Sees-Fit-to-Print" Times chooses to report the NYC Independence Party's 150,000 vote in the mayoral race on Nov. 3 in a Sunday editorial yesterday about NY state campaign finance laws... Go figure! Oh - plus, NY press continues to go after the WFP...


ATLANTA MAYORAL

• Georgia Independent Voters Announces Support for Kasim Reed in Atalanta Mayoral Race (Press Release) Georgia Independent Voters (GIV) – a state-based association of independent voters will hold a press conference announcing endorsement of Atlanta mayoral candidate Kasim Reed. Monday, November 30, 2009 - 10:00 a.m., Atlanta City Hall, 68 Mitchell St SW, Atlanta, GA.
• Atlanta runoff neck and neck (By Errin Haines, Associated Press, Philadelphia Inquirer) "What it comes down to is if she gets more black votes than he gets white votes," said political strategist Tom Houck. "When people say race doesn't matter, obviously it does. There is no dominant issue that distinguishes these two other than she's a white woman and he's a black guy." While the folksy Norwood, 57, contrasts with the more serious and polished Reed, 40, both have focused in their campaigns on public safety, transparency, and accountability. Norwood, who says she is an independent, has been accused of being a closeted Republican, and Reed, a Democrat, has challenged her for the votes of another key minority, gay Atlantans.
• Black-white turnout key in Atlanta mayoral runoff (By ERRIN HAINES (AP)
• Debunking Some Runoff Myths As Atlanta Prepares For The Next Round (By Dr. Charles Bullock, Insider Advantage Georgia)
• Atlanta Mayoral Hopefuls in Dead Heat (By COREY DADE, Wall Street Journal) Meanwhile, Mr. Reed and his supporters have ratcheted up their attacks on Ms. Norwood, highlighting her inability to get a single of her proposals passed by the council in eight years as a member, challenging her record of supporting gay rights, and forcing her to defend her political affiliation as independent (and not Republican, as the Reed campaign and state Democrats have alleged).
• Atlanta mayoral candidates appeal to gay vote (By Richard Fausset, LA Times)

GOVERNORS RACES

• UTAH: Peter Corroon a step closer to race for governor (By Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News) Only 13 percent of the respondents identified themselves as Democrats, while 39 percent said they were independent voters and another 39 percent, Republicans. 

NYC POLITICS

• It’s All About the Money (NY Times Editorial) Mr. Bloomberg won by a scant 50,000 votes, and he got at least 150,000 votes on that Independence line. That is very tidy housekeeping.
• Still Outnumbered, but Council Republicans Count on More Clout (By DAVID W. CHEN, NY Times) The new Council is expected to be more unpredictable, given the prospect of new, loosely fitting blocs like the Republicans and the candidates who opposed the rewriting of term limits and were powered by the Working Families Party.
• All In The Family Part 1 (By Edward-Isaac Dovere, City Hall) Using The Working Families Organization, The Working Families Draws Uncapped, Unrestricted Money And Lobbies The People It Helps Elect
• Oddo Still Top Dog (Strictly Political, By Tom Wrobleski, Staten Island Advance)

Georgia Independent Voters Announces Support for Kasim Reed in Atalanta Mayoral Race

Georgia Independent Voters (“GIV”) – a state-based association of independent voters will hold a press conference announcing endorsement of Atlanta mayoral candidate Kasim Reed. Monday, November 30, 2009 - 10:00 a.m., Atlanta City Hall, 68 Mitchell St SW, Atlanta, GA.

Independent voter organization, Georgia Independent Voters (“GIV”), screened mayoral candidates over the summer and endorsed Kasim Reed who won a spot in the runoff election with 36% of the vote in the general election. GIV activists will reaffirm their support and urge Atlanta independents to vote for Reed in the runoff scheduled for Tuesday, December 1st.

Reed won the endorsement of GIV because of his commitment to work with independent voters if elected, as well as his support for political and electoral reform issues that are the primary concern of independents. Independents comprise 39% of the electorate nationally according to a recent Pew research poll.

For more information, contact Mike Pickering, Co-founder, Georgia Independent Voters
Cell: 404.513.9074 - Email: mike.pickering@georgiaindependentvoters.org
Website: www.GeorgiaIndependentVoters.org

fall wardrobe

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS - Independents have a lot to be thankful for!

Thanksgiving is this week. Time to clear out the leftover stalks from the harvest. All those dried leaves from the NJ and VA gov races and the NY-23 congressional race... And the pods from the NYC mayoral (by the way, the final count including paper ballots is 150,000 votes on the Independence Party line). Do we pile them up, burn the field, or mulch and wait? Some of the most interesting things in the field right now are the roots -- nonpartisan elections, open primaries and independent candidates in local races -- as independents prepare for the next season. We have a lot to be thankful for -- let's celebrate a bountiful harvest!

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Economy Is Weak, Voters Are Angry -- Time for Third Party? (By Mort Kondracke, RealClearPolitics)
• Voters' disgust is mere illusion (Daily Record - Morristown NJ)

OPEN PRIMARIES/ NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS

• Local African-American voters weigh in on nonpartisan voting (David Anderson, ENC Today) “When I vote I look at the person, listen to their views, then I compare them to the person they’re running against; that’s how I make my decision.”
• Republicans decide to retain the "open primary" system (Beaufort Observer - NC)
• State GOP is wise to keep primaries open (Stanford Herald)

2010 GOV RACES

• Candidates for governor spar over local aid cuts (By John R. Ellement, Boston Globe) State Treasurer Timothy Cahill, an independent candidate for governor, spars with Republican gubernatorial hopefuls, Charles Baker and Christy Mihos, over cutting local aid.
• Poll shows Michigan voters lack enthusiasm for party politics (BY DAWSON BELL, DETROIT FREE PRESS)

2012

• Mark McKinnon Suggests Bloomberg Could Win Presidency as an Independent in 2012 (Ballot Access News)

WORKING FAMILIES PARTY

• Labor's love lost for Working Families Party (David Seifman, NY Post/Inside City Hall)
• Pressure on Region’s House Democrats to Back Health Care Overhaul (By RAYMOND HERNANDEZ, NY Times)
• Vote for Business! An anti-labor party. (By Jacob Gershman, New York Magazine/Intelligencer) NOTE: This is a terrible article, but I include here because it's part of how the media continues to "cover" third parties like WFP and NYC Independence Party -- i.e. like they don't know what they're talking about. Clearly, Jacob Gershman doesn't know what he's talking about...

LOCAL INDEPENDENT POLITICS

• Independent Fiala declared winner of Kent mayoral election after coin flip (Tom Gallick, Kent News Net)

independents steal home

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS -- Is it too early to talk independent in 2012?

OPEN PRIMARIES
The parties will continue to open or close their primaries depending on what they stand to gain or lose in the next election based on media polls. That's why we need national policy that supports a primary voting system that allows independents the right to participate.

• NC Republican Party Could Limit Primaries -- Move Could Close Primaries To Independents (WXII 12)
• Republicans consider closing primaries (By MARK BINKER, News Record Greensboro/CAPITAL BEAT)

BLOOMBERG 12
Interesting speculation brewing on Mayor Bloomberg's prospects for an independent run at the White House in 2012. While Katie Connolly imagines that independents are "too fickle, picky and non-committal" to provide a base of support for such a run. She also snarks that maybe Mike could pay people to stand on street corners. (What Connolly either doesn't know or chooses to ignore is that hundreds of volunteers stood on street corners on November 3rd, doubling the NYC Independence Party vote.) Meanwhile, Mark McKinnon on The Daily Beast makes a very good case for that 2012 run. I'd say the race is on!

• Does Palinmania Really Help Bloomberg? (Katie Connolly, Newsweek/The Gaggle)
• How Palin Helps Bloomberg (by Mark McKinnon, Daily Beast)

here's lookin' at you(rself) cat

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS - Of Third Parties and Con-fusions

Chatter continues about where independent voters are in the countdown to the 2010 midterm elections, this week's theme being the subjective/emotional "state" of independents -- indies are angry, frightened and turning right, say the pundits -- oh, yeah, and anti-incumbent. Poli-Tea started a very interesting and I think important dialog in several posts last week about the impact on independents of the rules the major parties enact to prevent the rise of a competitive third party in The Dialectic of the Subjective and the Objective in the Reproduction of the Two Party-State. In the meantime, a state chapter of the Working Families Party has been formed in Vermont... Surely the success of in NYC (both NY and VT have a form of fusion voting where candidates can run on more than one party line) of both the Independence Party and the WFP deserve some investigation in light of the formidable barriers that exist? More on this later. And on a final note, there's fusion and then there's fusion -- Doctor Zero's fusion is, well, CONfusion... -NH

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Polls: Voter/Independent's ire for incumbents reaching critical mass (Wichita Independent Examiner, Geoff Caldwell)
• Edward Achorn: Frightened independents send Washington a message (By EDWARD ACHORN, Providence Journal)
• The Silver Lining of the Left in Power (by Dennis Prager, Townhall) It is difficult to overstate how important this is. For decades, the left has largely controlled the news media, the arts, the universities and the entertainment media. And vast numbers of Americans have imbibed these leftist messages and the leftist critiques of conservatives. What these Americans have never been able to do is to see what the left would actually do if in power.
• Independents Turning Right (By Sarah Gravlee, KULR 8 Billings MT)
• Poll: Beau Biden Grabs Lead in Delaware Senate Race (By DAVID WEIGEL, Washington Independent)
• Barack Obama Proves He’s No Bill Clinton (By Ron Nehring, Chairman of the California Republican Party, Fox & Hounds Daily - CA)
• Rasmussen delivers more the-sky-is-falling-on-Obama spin in the WSJ (by Eric Boehlert, Media Matters) Since when do serious, 'independent' pollsters write columns urging the president to "shift right"? While you’re at it, tell the City Council that you want them to appeal the U.S. Department of Justice’s ridiculous decision to overturn our vote on nonpartisan elections.

OPEN PRIMARIES

• Constitutional convention initiative moves toward ballot (By Gary Quackenbush, North Bay Business Journal) “Redistricting authority should be given to a nonpartisan commission and not be left to legislators. Open primaries would allow voters to vote for anyone during the primaries and the two highest vote-getters for each position would then appear on the general election ballot, regardless of party affiliation.”

KINSTON NC

• A fond farewell to Buddy and Jimmy (Bryan C. Hanks, ENC Today) Article mentions the Justice Department's decision to deny voter-approved nonpartisan municipal elections...

GOVERNORS RACES

• So much for the power of incumbency (By The Monday Fix, Washington Post) What's clear from this and other national polling as well as a variety of state data is that there is a widespread belief that politicians are not acting in the best interests of those they represent. This sentiment isn't terribly new, but the depth of these anti-incumbent feelings -- particularly among political independents -- makes it newsworthy.
• Christie versus Booker must wait, as mayor intent on building upon their alliance (By MAX PIZARRO, PolitickerNJ.com)
• An insider's view of Christie's N.J. victory- During "that roller-coaster ride," the campaign focused on independent voters, and the issues. (Russ Schriefer, Philadelphia Inquirer)  NOTE: Russ Schriefer is a 20-year Repub consultant

WORKING FAMILIES PARTY

• Working Families Party forming in Vermont (By Nancy Remsen, Burlington Free Press) Vermont is one of 10 states that allows candidates to run with more than one party affiliation noted on the ballot and those are the states that the Working Families Party have targeted. The party was founded in New York in 1998 and then spread to Connecticut. Vermont has three major political parties -- Democrats, Republicans and Progressives. A political party is considered "major" in Vermont if one of its statewide candidates received more than 5 percent of the vote in the most recent election. Vermont also has had three minor parties in recent years -- Liberty Union, Libertarian and Constitutional.
• Lopez’s Legacy Looms Large (By Aaron Short, Your Nabe Brooklyn)

ON THE BLOGS

• The Essential Fusion (BY DOCTOR ZERO, Hot Air) The part of the conservative movement broadly defined as “social” is essential to defeating the moral argument of the Left. Electoral victory requires persuading moderate and independent voters, and even some liberals who are still open-minded enough to give the other side a hearing. Such persuasion is impossible without a compelling moral argument, because conservatism does not seem coherent without it. Say what you will about the fundamental argument of collectivism, but you can’t deny it’s simple and consistent: give us your vote and we will take care of you, at the expense of people whose greed is worthy of your hatred.

our relatives

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS -- A pox on both your parties!

Terry Hurlbut comes closer than most to capturing the true character of independent voters, if from a conservative view (tipoff -- he talks about NY 23, but not the election of NYC's first independent mayor on the Independence Party line), and questions the major pollsters' analysis. Independents, organized, is what will give independent voters more say in politics and policy...  One stop on that road is open primaries, on the ballot in California for 2010.....  Henry Stern (Yonkers' own) gets it right -- and then gets it wrong.


INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Independent voices (Essex County Conservative Examiner, Terry Hurlbut) An independent voter, called an "unaffiliated voter" here in New Jersey, is one who does not identify with either of the two major parties.
• Sabato: The Democrats Aren't Doomed (By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers, US News & World Report)
• Obama Is Losing Independent Voters (By SCOTT RASMUSSEN AND DOUGLAS E. SCHOEN, Wall Street Journal)
• Lou Dobbs for president! The former CNN host sounds like he's running for office -- and if so, he's a GOP nightmare (BY JOE CONASON, Associated Press, Salon) Mr. Independent is a star-spangled superhero, dazzling enemies with his ferocious smile as he restores truth, justice and the American Way to a grateful "independent nation."

OPEN PRIMARIES

• Idaho Republican Party May be Losing Interest in Its Lawsuit to Get a Closed Primary (Ballot Access News)
• Other View: Parties stand to gain from welcoming independents (By: Editorial Board, Aberdeen American News, Daily Republic) If these first-time voters aren’t naturally gravitating toward being Republicans or Democrats, or some other third party, we need to question not whether but why Republicans or Democrats aren’t representing the values of the emerging independent class of voters.
• Two-party system has become too rigid (LETTERS to San Diego Union Tribune) The logical solution is still the blanket open primary, which the bosses of the two parties hate because it takes power from them and returns it to its rightful owners, the voters.
• U-T Editorial: Punishing the unpure-Both political parties should open their big tent (San Diego Union Tribune)

BLOOMBERG 09

• Polls Predicted a Bloomberg Blowout, but Expert Knew Better (By SAM ROBERTS, NY Times) Mr. Gyory, a lobbyist, political consultant and aide to three New York governors, was convinced that the race would not be the blowout predicted by numerous polls, precisely because of what the polls themselves consistently revealed: The percentage of New Yorkers who said they would vote for Mr. Bloomberg barely climbed above 50. Apparently, the only people who listened worked for Mr. Bloomberg.
• New York Civic: E-Day Plus 10 - What Happened, and Why? (By Henry J. Stern, Yonkers Tribune blog) City-wide, voters cast 142,817 votes on the Independence Party line for Bloomberg, In 2005 his total on the Independence line was 74,655 and in 2001, his first race for mayor, his Independence total was 59,091.