Running for governor isn’t as easy as it looks

The Augusta Insider spoke the other day on the challenge for independent candidates in Maine. As the Augusta Insider points out, even though Maine is known as independent friendly, it takes a certain mix of qualities for an independent candidate to win in Maine. The Augusta Insider cited fundraising ability, name recognition, being part of a major party in the past, and major party voter satisfaction with their own parties as ingredients to seeing an independent in the Blaine House.

Odd Maine gubernatorial statistic

I got to thinking today how many incumbents or incumbent parties have won the Blaine House. I started with the election of Democrat Joseph Brennan in 1978. There is a strange pattern. Every governor stays in office for their two term limit. Brennan, McKernan, King, and Baldacci all fit this pattern. At the end of the incumbent parties lost the Blaine House. Democrat to Republican to Independent to Democrat.

If the current model holds then the Democrats may be in hot water this election season. Still, like the it’s weather, Maine’s politics is bound to surprise.

Guest Post – Maine puts all political parties on equal footing

by d-eris from the Poli-Tea Party

The recent Pew Research Poll which found that self-identified independents now outnumber Republicans and Democrats is likely a cause of great concern for partisans of the duopoly parties. The trend clearly indicates a growing discontent with the politics of the two-party system, but it has not yet translated into widespread support for third party and independent candidates for office. How can we make sense of this apparent paradox? Undoubtedly, many voters shy away from supporting third party and independent campaigns because they have been convinced that such campaigns do not represent a viable alternative to the usual suspects offered up by the Republican and Democratic parties, and thus conclude that a vote for a third party or independent candidate is equivalent to throwing one’s vote away. This is the precise rationale that supports lesser-of-two-evils voting and ensures that, come election day, voters are presented only with a choice between the lesser and greater of two evils. However, the difference between a viable and non-viable third party or independent campaign is the difference between the number of voters who throw their vote away on the lesser of two evils and the number of voters who are willing to cast their ballots in support of a positive alternative to the duopoly charade.

Though they agree on little else, it is thus no surprise that Democratic and Republican lawmakers across the country have come to a bipartisan consensus which dictates that third party and independent candidates must be kept off our ballots at all costs. So, while the duopoly candidates are out campaigning, their third party and independent counterparts can often be found spending precious resources amassing petition signatures to ensure only that their names appear on the ballot. Reform of ballot access laws should be a top priority for everyone interested in widening the scope of representation in our local, state and national governments. Significantly, Maine has just passed a bill into law which eases ballot restrictions on minor parties. The indispensable Ballot Access News reports:

“On June 17, Maine Governor John Balducci signed LD 1041, the bill that alters how a party remains on the ballot. The old law requires a party to have polled 5% for the office at the top of the ballot, at either of the last two elections (i.e., President or Governor). The new law lets it remain on the ballot if it has 10,000 registrants who voted in the last general election. 10,000 is now 1.06% of the number of registered voters. The Green Party of Maine, the only ballot-qualified party other than the Democratic and Republican Parties, has about 31,000 registrants, three-fourths of whom typically vote in the general election. Thus the immediate effect of the bill is that the Green Party is virtually assured of remaining on the ballot for an indefinite time into the future, no matter whether it polls 5% for Governor in the future or not.”

This is a step in the right direction, and provides incentive to independent and third party hopefuls seeking the governorship in 2010. Hopefully other states will follow Maine’s lead in this regard: the lesser of two evils is the enemy of the greater good.

Green Party in Maine is Mighty!

Maybe independence is in our blood up here. Politically, Mainers have always been fond those willing to break party lines. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe have managed to get reelected time and time again. That is in spite of the fact Maine is part of one of the strongest liberal regions in the nations. We have a soft spot for independents and third parties too. Angus King, an independent, held the Blaine House for two terms. During his tenure, King was one of only two governors not affiliated with a national party. The other was the surprising Jesse Ventura. In the last election a majority of voters (39%) were “independent or something else“.

The Maine Green Party draws from those strong numbers. The Maine Green Independent Party began 25 years ago with 18 members. Today their numbers have reached 32,000. In the 2006 gubernatorial election, Green Candidate Pat LaMarche grabbed 10% of the vote. The doesn’t seem like much, but when you consider she was in a 5 way race, those are damn good numbers for a third party candidate. The Greens hold 18 elected positions, all on the local and county level. Maine also held the distinction of having the highest elected Green from 2002-2006 in Maine State House member John Eder. I lived in town during those years. When election season rolled around you could see Eder’s bold green campaign signs in a vast number of windows. Versions so faded they are almost white still lurk in many windows.

Downeast Magazine has run a nice article on the Maine Greens history and future hopes. Whether you support the Green platform or not, the article is still a must read for those interested in independent and third party politics. Say what you will, but the Maine Greens are well on their way to proving third parties can succeed.

from Downeast Magazine:

Twenty-five years ago, when the Maine Green Party was founded as the first Green political organization in the country, its often-chaotic meetings earned it a reputation as “a prime example of creative dysfunction,” as one exasperated participant said at the time. Ben Chipman, of Portland, laughs out loud at the anecdote. In recent years he has worked on or managed the campaigns of sixteen Green Party candidates and won ten of them. Portland’s Green Independent Party (as it’s now known) currently has three members on the city council, two on the school committee, and two more on the Portland Water District Board. The first Green elected to state-level office in the United States was John Eder, who served two terms in the Maine Legislature from a Portland district…Read More.

Green Party in Maine is Mighty!

Maybe independence is in our blood up here. Politically, Mainers have always been fond those willing to break party lines. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe have managed to get reelected time and time again. That is in spite of the fact Maine is part of one of the strongest liberal regions in the nations. We have a soft spot for independents and third parties too. Angus King, an independent, held the Blaine House for two terms. During his tenure, King was one of only two governors not affiliated with a national party. The other was the surprising Jesse Ventura. In the last election a majority of voters (39%) were “independent or something else“.

The Maine Green Party draws from those strong numbers. The Maine Green Independent Party began 25 years ago with 18 members. Today their numbers have reached 32,000. In the 2006 gubernatorial election, Green Candidate Pat LaMarche grabbed 10% of the vote. The doesn’t seem like much, but when you consider she was in a 5 way race, those are damn good numbers for a third party candidate. The Greens hold 18 elected positions, all on the local and county level. Maine also held the distinction of having the highest elected Green from 2002-2006 in Maine State House member John Eder. I lived in town during those years. When election season rolled around you could see Eder’s bold green campaign signs in a vast number of windows. Versions so faded they are almost white still lurk in many windows.

Downeast Magazine has run a nice article on the Maine Greens history and future hopes. Whether you support the Green platform or not, the article is still a must read for those interested in independent and third party politics. Say what you will, but the Maine Greens are well on their way to proving third parties can succeed.

from Downeast Magazine:

Twenty-five years ago, when the Maine Green Party was founded as the first Green political organization in the country, its often-chaotic meetings earned it a reputation as “a prime example of creative dysfunction,” as one exasperated participant said at the time. Ben Chipman, of Portland, laughs out loud at the anecdote. In recent years he has worked on or managed the campaigns of sixteen Green Party candidates and won ten of them. Portland’s Green Independent Party (as it’s now known) currently has three members on the city council, two on the school committee, and two more on the Portland Water District Board. The first Green elected to state-level office in the United States was John Eder, who served two terms in the Maine Legislature from a Portland district…Read More.

Green Party in Maine is Mighty!

Maybe independence is in our blood up here. Politically, Mainers have always been fond those willing to break party lines. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe have managed to get reelected time and time again. That is in spite of the fact Maine is part of one of the strongest liberal regions in the nations. We have a soft spot for independents and third parties too. Angus King, an independent, held the Blaine House for two terms. During his tenure, King was one of only two governors not affiliated with a national party. The other was the surprising Jesse Ventura. In the last election a majority of voters (39%) were “independent or something else“.

The Maine Green Party draws from those strong numbers. The Maine Green Independent Party began 25 years ago with 18 members. Today their numbers have reached 32,000. In the 2006 gubernatorial election, Green Candidate Pat LaMarche grabbed 10% of the vote. The doesn’t seem like much, but when you consider she was in a 5 way race, those are damn good numbers for a third party candidate. The Greens hold 18 elected positions, all on the local and county level. Maine also held the distinction of having the highest elected Green from 2002-2006 in Maine State House member John Eder. I lived in town during those years. When election season rolled around you could see Eder’s bold green campaign signs in a vast number of windows. Versions so faded they are almost white still lurk in many windows.

Downeast Magazine has run a nice article on the Maine Greens history and future hopes. Whether you support the Green platform or not, the article is still a must read for those interested in independent and third party politics. Say what you will, but the Maine Greens are well on their way to proving third parties can succeed.

from Downeast Magazine:

Twenty-five years ago, when the Maine Green Party was founded as the first Green political organization in the country, its often-chaotic meetings earned it a reputation as “a prime example of creative dysfunction,” as one exasperated participant said at the time. Ben Chipman, of Portland, laughs out loud at the anecdote. In recent years he has worked on or managed the campaigns of sixteen Green Party candidates and won ten of them. Portland’s Green Independent Party (as it’s now known) currently has three members on the city council, two on the school committee, and two more on the Portland Water District Board. The first Green elected to state-level office in the United States was John Eder, who served two terms in the Maine Legislature from a Portland district…Read More.

Walking Down the Center of the Political Road

Any one who deviates from the Democratic or Republican base isn’t welcome anymore. It used to be that moderates could drive safely, while the extreme ideologues passed them in the breakdown lanes. Lately moderates have been pushed closer and closer to the center line. It feels like there wont be any room left on the major party highway soon.

We all know the Republican party has been pushing out those they deem “RINOs” for some time now. There was the “with us or against us” mentality of the Bush years, which has carried on in GOP rhetoric. Rush Limbaugh and a few other extreme conservative pundits have carried the torch. Republican senators have apologized to Limbaugh for challenging him. Dick Cheney and Colin Powell have had a publicized debate on the direction of the GOP, who belongs and who doesn’t.

And of course there is the internet chatter. Commenters on conservative blogs are quick to judge others who don’t quite fit the mold. Hell, they will turn on their own in a second like sharks at a feeding frenzy. There is strict code of what a Republican should be and if you deviate even an iota you’re fish food.

Tim from Balloon Juice has broken down this phenomenon for us in a handy to read post. Republicans must live up to what Tim calls “The List”

from Balloon Juice:

D.F. must simultaneously oppose abortion (always), support torture, wiretapping and aggressive war, question evolution and doubt global warming, fear muslims, hate taxes and really hate government healthcare. If D.F. fails a single point on the list then he’s clearly a bogus conservative, anathema and unwelcome to taint the pristine boards with his heterodoxy. The question of the day (e.g., did Sarah Palin harm the ticket) usually makes a guest appearance on The List, conveniently anathematizing anyone who disagrees with the putative topic of the thread.

I read a few Conservative blogs and check some to cite a story from time to time. Tim really isn’t far off. Commenters really do bash dissenters. That kind of behavior is not exclusive to Conservative blogs. Pick a topic people are passionate about. Search forums or blog comments on that topic and you will find the same kind of behavior. That doesn’t make it any less unsavory, especially for Republicans who have opinions on abortion, gay marriage, guns, etc., in conflict with the far right.

Unfortunately for old school Republicans much of the list doesn’t always mesh with core Republican values. All the baggage brought by the religious right when the Republicans whored themselves to the rr to pad the ballot box are not the same values men like Goldwater, Buckley, or Reagan cherished. Now the GOP is paying the piper, but unfortunately so are moderate Republicans.

Democrats will often try to claim the high ground on this issue. That they are all inclusive and friendly. Well that’s not quite so. Far left liberals can push those they don’t agree with away just as quickly and easily.

Robin at American Thinker wrote a few days ago about her experience as a Democrat who chose to vote for McCain. She might as well have been a leper the way her liberal friends, husband, and therapist were treating her. While debate and disagreement is healthy, people downright loathed her for her choice, and it is her choice to vote for whoever she wants, to vote for McCain. If McCain had campaigned as the McCain we once knew I may have voted for him too.

In the hey-day of Obama excitement, you really were a brave soul to admit to voting for McCain or once he was elected disagree with him. A youtube video posted by bloggerinterrupted even questioned a black man who said he would vote for McCain, practically saying he HAD to vote Obama just because he was black. Yes shame people over to your point of view.

Of course just because you’re a Democrat that doesn’t make you exempt from the “with us or against us” behavior. Moderate Dems have been pushed around by the party base. Back in February Blue Dogs senators complained that Nancy Pelosi treated them like “mushrooms” and got perturbed when they wanted to do outlandish things like read the legislation they were voting on. I wrote on my distaste for Harry Reid’s remarks on bipartisan efforts in regards to Mr. Obama’s economic stimulus bill. His posturing at the time was just what I never liked about the Bush administration. Now that the Dems were in power they were doing it too.

So where does this leave moderates? Quite possibly taking an exit to a new road. One where moderates can express their views and not be immediately attacked as a “traitor”. One where they can vote for a candidate that espouses all of their core values, not just some candidate all over the political map. Third party country, here we come!

Independents Unite!

Independents have probably never had a better time for a power grab. Poli-Tea Party has posted an article from a Green Party activist. Maryrose Asher advocates that now is the time for like minded progressives to break from the Democrats and unite behind an independent candidate.

from OpEdNews via Poli-Tea Party:

The only way the progressive movement is going to change the political system is by uniting behind a candidate who exemplifies the passion and dedication for social justice issues, not just by words but by deeds. We need activists who have been on the front lines carrying protest signs, marching in the streets, attending organizing meetings, facing arrest, and otherwise showing by example what we should all be doing . . . The progressive movement can no longer sell its soul and support the Democratic Party as they have done in the past. Neither of the two mainstream political parties represents the working class and none of the third parties have the money to run a successful candidate or the ability to unite the progressive movement under one umbrella. Therefore, the progressive movement must get behind individuals in their community who are part of the movement and who are willing to run for local office. Citizen candidates may not win and may in fact be spoilers against a “lesser of two evils” candidate, but this should not be the focus and certainly of no concern. The primary goal would be to break the back of this corrupt, corporate-owned political system and to willingly choose not to vote for either “head” of this two-headed monster.

Is this a sign of the extremes in each party breaking off on their own? We may already be seeing that in the Republican party, why shouldn’t we expect something similar in the Democratic party.

I have read many articles about how the far-left is becoming disillusioned with the Obama administration, as I’m sure you all have too. If there was any time for third parties of similar interest to unite and make a good run at some national seats, its 2010. 2010 is shaping up to be an interesting election.