Changes

Just remember that many Dem/GOP members are willing to twist and alter their positions in many ways to achieve victory and stay popular. Just think of the group-think that happened during the Democratic primaries, when each candidate suddenly announced one by one that they represented change, healthcare, and education like no other person in the room. I was amazed to see that they spent much more time fighting Bush and trying to take on the likely Republican contenders (like Biden did), than really working on a consistent message. The Republicans also shifted to the anti-immigration and social conservative debate, with people like Giuliani flipping on everything form gun control to abortion to gay rights in only a matter of months--just to win over Republicans. Ron Paul, who from the beginning ran as a Third Party candidate, altered the discussion on the Iraq war immediately, and won major support for avoiding the stale "support our troops" mantra. What that did was opened up new ideas and made the party a little lively on the topic.

Just remember that many Dem/GOP members are willing to twist and alter their positions in many ways to achieve victory and stay popular. Just think of the group-think that happened during the Democratic primaries, when each candidate suddenly announced one by one that they represented change, healthcare, and education like no other person in the room. I was amazed to see that they spent much more time fighting Bush and trying to take on the likely Republican contenders (like Biden did), than really working on a consistent message. The Republicans also shifted to the anti-immigration and social conservative debate, with people like Giuliani flipping on everything form gun control to abortion to gay rights in only a matter of months--just to win over Republicans. Ron Paul, who from the beginning ran as a Third Party candidate, altered the discussion on the Iraq war immediately, and won major support for avoiding the stale "support our troops" mantra. What that did was opened up new ideas and made the party a little lively on the topic.

And I think Perot's influence in 1996 showed a lot of weaknesses in Bob Dole and George W. Bush, particularly in small government and preparing for the information age. I feel that right-wing candidates like Pat Buchanan, David Duke, and Tom Tancredo gave a lot of voice to people who felt that their party was leaving them behind. In every race since Reagan, evangelicals have fielded support into many different candidates, hoping for success in Pat Robertson, Fred Thompson, Mike Huckabee, etc. because they have felt left out.

And I think Perot's influence in 1996 showed a lot of weaknesses in Bob Dole and George H.W. Bush, particularly in small government and preparing for the information age. I feel that right-wing candidates like Pat Buchanan, David Duke, and Tom Tancredo gave a lot of voice to people who felt that their party was leaving them behind. In every race since Reagan, evangelicals have fielded support into many different candidates, hoping for success in Pat Robertson, Fred Thompson, Mike Huckabee, etc. because they have felt left out.

Check Third Party Watch, Ballot Access News, and Politics1.com and you'll see that Third Parties are still active and important as ever in our political process. You might be surprised to see that Obama and McCain are going to be cross-endorsed by other Parties like the Independence, Working Families, Conservative, etc. lines on your ballot this coming November. That means that (in states that allow ballot fusion) McCain can be listed on a Conservative Party line and on the GOP line and you can vote for him based on the political line that you best align with.

Check Third Party Watch, Ballot Access News, and Politics1.com and you'll see that Third Parties are still active and important as ever in our political process. You might be surprised to see that Obama and McCain are going to be cross-endorsed by other Parties like the Independence, Working Families, Conservative, etc. lines on your ballot this coming November. That means that (in states that allow ballot fusion) McCain can be listed on a Conservative Party line and on the GOP line and you can vote for him based on the political line that you best align with.