I appreciated John Anderson (Jon Anderson is the Yes guy, right?) and Ross Perot.
Most 3rd party candidates (yes there are exceptions) are going to do a good job of showcasing their own limitations especially with typical questions. Rs and Ds who can’t take advantage of that probably shouldn’t be running anyway.
geek, My can of whoop-ass apparently about half empty today, but…
I guess that Jason’s point of view is that ballot access laws are nothing more than a vent to let people who feel ill-served by the two major parties (somewhere around 25-30% of the electorate in DE as I recall) get the false idea that democracy is about the free exchange of ideas between American citizens.
I recall that Delaware Liberal used to have above the masthead that Gandhi quote about people ignoring you and laughing at you before you win.
You weren’t sold on the idea two years ago. This is no shock. Your foremost priority is to advance the Democratic agenda, not a Democracy-led agenda. Third party candidates are necessary for the debate because they often do force the two heavily-moneyed candidates to address topics neither otherwise would have.
Good one, Steve. The people of Delaware have spoken. More than a quarter of them refuse to be identified as a member of either party because they know both are full of shit. By disallowing third-party candidates from speaking, even though they may get such a low percentage of the vote, those in charge are effectively canceling out the voices of potentially thousands of voters in Delaware.
I can’t wait to switch my “D” back to undeclared after the primary.
That’s right Jason–the fact that 25% of Delaware citizens refuse to sign up with either corrupt political machine is a legitimate reason to disenfranchise alternative candidates from debate.
What’s pleasing is to get such an honest view about how Democrats will conduct themselves with regard to political debate in this State once they have a majority in both houses….
The fact that you’ve rightly eviscerated Tom Carper and Harris McDowell doesn’t cancel out the fact that you are still a Democrat who, aside from a possible vote for Tyler Nixon, has stated he would only vote for Democrats.
Locally, the Democrats are more corrupt than the GOP, which is pretty much just inept and impotent. You’ve got a thug for a leader (John Daniello) who threatens dumb bloggers to have them registered as lobbyists. Where’s the precious PDD to call for that thug’s ouster? You guys are just like everyone else — business as usual.
Steve’s right — people hate the BS partisan platitudes both parties offer because, in reality, they don’t actually give a fuck about the people. All they care about is maintaining the death grip of power over the state and its major functions. You actually think Bob Gilligan is salivating at the mouth over winning the House because he wants to “do good things” for the people of Delaware? No, he’s salivating because it would mean he’d finally ascend to the powerful throne he’s sought for the last 35 years, that of the Speaker’s seat. It’s all about power. It’s all about money. It’s all about buying influence.
And 25% of the state gives a hearty “fuck you” to that process. If only the press and high-dollar donors gave as much attention to third-party candidates as they deserved.
Time to make a suggestion – related to ‘wasting votes’.
Let’s propose to vote for “none of the above”.
Here is how.
1) Show up to vote.
2) Enter the Booth.
3) Vote for all candidates that you support that are in close races.
4) Do not vote for un-opposed candidates, unless you ARE satisfied with their performance.
5) Unopposed candidates will not appear for primaries, but this is for the General Election.
The result is that everyone will see that 5,000 votes were cast, but some candidates, unopposed, have only 385 votes. That translates into a very unsatisfactory rating.
Recent results in a local senatorial district show that finding “Good, New Candidates to challenge an Incumbent”, is not easy. But we can still WITHHOLD our votes.
I saw that on kavips site. An example of the art form of “inadvertent haiku”.
And the reason, Jason, that you’d advance for excluding ballot-qualified candidates is….
Protack?
Atkins?
Capriciousness.
But seriously folks. 3rd party cranks have only ever been spoilers.
I appreciated John Anderson and Ross Perot…Nader, not so much.
Now you’ve done it… Steve is going to open a can of whoop-ass of you.
I appreciated John Anderson (Jon Anderson is the Yes guy, right?) and Ross Perot.
Most 3rd party candidates (yes there are exceptions) are going to do a good job of showcasing their own limitations especially with typical questions. Rs and Ds who can’t take advantage of that probably shouldn’t be running anyway.
Let them all debate, I say…..
geek, My can of whoop-ass apparently about half empty today, but…
I guess that Jason’s point of view is that ballot access laws are nothing more than a vent to let people who feel ill-served by the two major parties (somewhere around 25-30% of the electorate in DE as I recall) get the false idea that democracy is about the free exchange of ideas between American citizens.
I recall that Delaware Liberal used to have above the masthead that Gandhi quote about people ignoring you and laughing at you before you win.
I’m glad to see you took it down.
Jason,
You weren’t sold on the idea two years ago. This is no shock. Your foremost priority is to advance the Democratic agenda, not a Democracy-led agenda. Third party candidates are necessary for the debate because they often do force the two heavily-moneyed candidates to address topics neither otherwise would have.
Good one, Steve. The people of Delaware have spoken. More than a quarter of them refuse to be identified as a member of either party because they know both are full of shit. By disallowing third-party candidates from speaking, even though they may get such a low percentage of the vote, those in charge are effectively canceling out the voices of potentially thousands of voters in Delaware.
I can’t wait to switch my “D” back to undeclared after the primary.
Sorry M ike. You are not speaking with the Jason who was so party line focudsed two years ago.
Harris McDowell and Tom Carper have changed me for the better.
What was your other point? Oh yeah…25% of Delawareans like wasting thier votes. I wish it were not so.
That’s right Jason–the fact that 25% of Delaware citizens refuse to sign up with either corrupt political machine is a legitimate reason to disenfranchise alternative candidates from debate.
What’s pleasing is to get such an honest view about how Democrats will conduct themselves with regard to political debate in this State once they have a majority in both houses….
Hey I got a promotion. Now I’m speaking of the Democratic Party. Goodie. Tom Carper step into my office…YOU”RE FIRED!!
Harris McDowell, Jason will see you now…
Jason,
The fact that you’ve rightly eviscerated Tom Carper and Harris McDowell doesn’t cancel out the fact that you are still a Democrat who, aside from a possible vote for Tyler Nixon, has stated he would only vote for Democrats.
Locally, the Democrats are more corrupt than the GOP, which is pretty much just inept and impotent. You’ve got a thug for a leader (John Daniello) who threatens dumb bloggers to have them registered as lobbyists. Where’s the precious PDD to call for that thug’s ouster? You guys are just like everyone else — business as usual.
Steve’s right — people hate the BS partisan platitudes both parties offer because, in reality, they don’t actually give a fuck about the people. All they care about is maintaining the death grip of power over the state and its major functions. You actually think Bob Gilligan is salivating at the mouth over winning the House because he wants to “do good things” for the people of Delaware? No, he’s salivating because it would mean he’d finally ascend to the powerful throne he’s sought for the last 35 years, that of the Speaker’s seat. It’s all about power. It’s all about money. It’s all about buying influence.
And 25% of the state gives a hearty “fuck you” to that process. If only the press and high-dollar donors gave as much attention to third-party candidates as they deserved.
That dog don’t hunt no more Mike. Get a new gripe.
Anyway, I said I wasn’t sold on it. I didn;t say I couldn’t be sold on it. (I don’t live in fear of being called a flip flopper.)
Your spaz attack is not a very complleiing argument. It makes me dislike the idea more infact. Now, a well reasoned argument. That is different.
blah blah…KHN and Michael Berg ruined ’06…blah blah
That’s your only argument.
Wha…? I’m still not sold.
BTW – if KHN wins the Democratic Primary – I’m her new best friend.
I guess that is the old party hack that you know and love coming out.
Well we know why you’ll support here — she’s a Democrat!
A Democrat not named John Atkins, Tom Carper, Harris McDowell.
Time to make a suggestion – related to ‘wasting votes’.
Let’s propose to vote for “none of the above”.
Here is how.
1) Show up to vote.
2) Enter the Booth.
3) Vote for all candidates that you support that are in close races.
4) Do not vote for un-opposed candidates, unless you ARE satisfied with their performance.
5) Unopposed candidates will not appear for primaries, but this is for the General Election.
The result is that everyone will see that 5,000 votes were cast, but some candidates, unopposed, have only 385 votes. That translates into a very unsatisfactory rating.
Recent results in a local senatorial district show that finding “Good, New Candidates to challenge an Incumbent”, is not easy. But we can still WITHHOLD our votes.
Responses Please.
.
I love the idea!
Paul is on to something.
Let’s get it started
I’m with you, Mike. The sooner this primary is over, the better.