A recent Fox News report offered the tease Is it time for a third-party President. The two panelists, a Democratic strategist, and a Republican strategist, predictably, spent the entire segment lambasting the oppositions position, while lauding the vision and performance of their own party. Not one word was uttered about the possibility of a third-party candidacy. Isnt this precisely why one is needed? In Washington today, the political viewpoint has never been more myopic, more inwardly focused on political navel-gazing than at present. The result is that much of American popular opinion goes unheeded. For example, the majority of Americans thinks partial-birth abortion is wrong and should be banned, yet this inhumane practice persists. Most Americans, want the borders secured and immigration laws enforcedyet insecure borders with amnesty for those already here illegally seems the only solution that the Democrat/Republican cogs of government will tolerate. The razor-sharp blade of public opinion is definitely dulled in our current political climate. Is it time for the politicos to receive a deafening wake-up call? Ross Perot and Ralph Nader are the best recent examples of third-party candidates and their impact on national politics. All the American voters got for either of these candidacies was two-terms for Bill Clinton, and two-terms for George Bush. This really accomplished nothing on the political paradigm shifting front. Yet it seems these warning shots go completely unheeded. In the last election, the candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives for our districts seat all met in a series of debates. They were Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Green and even a couple whose particular party affiliation was indiscernible. But all debates for the presidential candidates only offer a Democratic or Republican combatant. Several weeks ago, a larger panel openly discussed the merits of a third-party candidate on another Fox News segment. The next day Congress upped the limit for federal matching campaign funds for presidential candidates to $100 million. It certainly seems that the powers that be whether Democrat or Republican, desperately want to maintain the status quo. What is needed is a third-party candidate with appeal to a broad cross-section of American voters, one that has the vision to run for office without $200-$300 million dollarswith only a better idea; a sharper focus on the pulse beat of America. The last time that happened waslets seeAbraham Lincoln. Is it time for another Abraham Lincoln? |
