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Will Lieberman Apologize to Ralph Nader?
Corporate Joe Says He May Run as an Independent
By RICK WILHELM
Lieberman Says He Will Run on His Own as an independent if He Loses the Connecticut Primary. That is according to the New York Times edition of July 3rd, 2006.
The Democrats have been complaining since 2000 about how third parties should support the "lesser of two evils." Allot of so-called "Progressives" and "Greens" have bought into the charade. Obviously it doesn't apply to Democrats, since Lieberman will be running against a Democrat that could cause the Republican to win, should Joey lose the election next month. Joey won years ago against a Republican who was more to the left of him. Joey was elected with the help of Bill Buckley.
It is just as obvious third parties need not "honor" commitments based on blind faith. Democrats expect third-party loyalty to them when they don't even have loyalty to their own party apparatus! Since I first started voting, and then later as someone who helped Democrats at election time, I became more and disgusted at the way the system operates. It holds true at all levels of government. In Columbus, where I live, I haven't seen a "progressive" in office ever. It would be easier to have an intelligent conversation with George W. than to find a progressive Democrat endorsed by the Franklin County Democratic Party.
The working people of the United States live our lives continually with little or no voice. Only another political party by us, for us, and dedicated to us can help us. We do not except the lesser of two evils argument and will not support Democrats and "Greens" who make pretenses they are "on our side." We do not even accept that Democrats or Greens are in fact the lesser evil. That is why a new movement is needed. A progressive worker's movement without elitism and without pretense. The foundation of Poor People's Working Party is the start of that movement.
More
http://counterpunch.com/wilhelm07042006.html
Lieberman Says He Will Run on His Own as an independent if He Loses the Connecticut Primary. That is according to the New York Times edition of July 3rd, 2006.
The Democrats have been complaining since 2000 about how third parties should support the "lesser of two evils." Allot of so-called "Progressives" and "Greens" have bought into the charade. Obviously it doesn't apply to Democrats, since Lieberman will be running against a Democrat that could cause the Republican to win, should Joey lose the election next month. Joey won years ago against a Republican who was more to the left of him. Joey was elected with the help of Bill Buckley.
It is just as obvious third parties need not "honor" commitments based on blind faith. Democrats expect third-party loyalty to them when they don't even have loyalty to their own party apparatus! Since I first started voting, and then later as someone who helped Democrats at election time, I became more and disgusted at the way the system operates. It holds true at all levels of government. In Columbus, where I live, I haven't seen a "progressive" in office ever. It would be easier to have an intelligent conversation with George W. than to find a progressive Democrat endorsed by the Franklin County Democratic Party.
The working people of the United States live our lives continually with little or no voice. Only another political party by us, for us, and dedicated to us can help us. We do not except the lesser of two evils argument and will not support Democrats and "Greens" who make pretenses they are "on our side." We do not even accept that Democrats or Greens are in fact the lesser evil. That is why a new movement is needed. A progressive worker's movement without elitism and without pretense. The foundation of Poor People's Working Party is the start of that movement.
More
http://counterpunch.com/wilhelm07042006.html
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Every couple of months I do a "What's Nader up to now?" web search, and this article popped up during today's search. But after reading these two opinions, I had to ask for clarification, and give my opinion on third parties.
If Lieberman criticized Nader for running as a third party candidate, it is useful to point out that he once did so (maybe with a quote from him circa 2000) and now seems to endorse third party candidacies. But Lieberman's opinion about Nader aside, does this mean that Lieberman shouldn't run as Independent? Are progressives the only people who should be able to run as third parties when a "major" party no longer acts in their interest?
You may disagree with this assessment, but as I see it, progressives can either take "back" the Democratic Party (not likely, but there are currently a lot of grassroots efforts to do so), or field a new, powerful third party with a real backbone (there doesn't seem to be an electable progressive party just yet). At times (and especially until we establish a strong third party), this might mean running as a Democrat before the primary and then, after losing the primary, running in the general election as a third party or Independent.
By criticizing Lieberman for potentially staying in the race as an Independent, the progressive movement is criticizing the tactics they themselves may have to turn to. Tactics that I feel are needed to keep the two parties honest. If Lamont loses in the Primary, but decides to stay in the race, I would hope people that agree with his politics continue to support him as opposed to either not voting or voting for one of nation's most outspoken war supporters.
Please criticize Lieberman's political views, his support for preemptive war, or his opinion (if he's voiced it) that third parties somehow harm democracy. But don't cross the line and criticize him for running as an Independent. Call Lieberman's actions "opportunism," even if they seem that way if used by a man who is currently in power, and you justify using that same label on the actions of a progressive.
If anything is "opportunism," it's criticizing someone for the same actions you'd support if he agreed with your politics.
If Lieberman criticized Nader for running as a third party candidate, it is useful to point out that he once did so (maybe with a quote from him circa 2000) and now seems to endorse third party candidacies. But Lieberman's opinion about Nader aside, does this mean that Lieberman shouldn't run as Independent? Are progressives the only people who should be able to run as third parties when a "major" party no longer acts in their interest?
You may disagree with this assessment, but as I see it, progressives can either take "back" the Democratic Party (not likely, but there are currently a lot of grassroots efforts to do so), or field a new, powerful third party with a real backbone (there doesn't seem to be an electable progressive party just yet). At times (and especially until we establish a strong third party), this might mean running as a Democrat before the primary and then, after losing the primary, running in the general election as a third party or Independent.
By criticizing Lieberman for potentially staying in the race as an Independent, the progressive movement is criticizing the tactics they themselves may have to turn to. Tactics that I feel are needed to keep the two parties honest. If Lamont loses in the Primary, but decides to stay in the race, I would hope people that agree with his politics continue to support him as opposed to either not voting or voting for one of nation's most outspoken war supporters.
Please criticize Lieberman's political views, his support for preemptive war, or his opinion (if he's voiced it) that third parties somehow harm democracy. But don't cross the line and criticize him for running as an Independent. Call Lieberman's actions "opportunism," even if they seem that way if used by a man who is currently in power, and you justify using that same label on the actions of a progressive.
If anything is "opportunism," it's criticizing someone for the same actions you'd support if he agreed with your politics.
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