Daniel Gross, a former Newsweek Senior Editor and now a journalist and commentator for Yahoo!Finance interviews Tom Friedman at this 6 minute 21 second video. In the interview, Friedman explains why he feels that the U.S. needs a new party. The video clip is accompanied by commentary by Daniel Gross on why he disagrees with Friedman.
Gross says an independent or new-party president would be just as much a politician as any Democrat or Republican. He says such a third party presidential candidate would want to be re-elected also. But he does not mention that most of the independent or third party Governors elected in the last twenty-one years in Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Alaska did not seek re-election; only Angus King in Maine did seek re-election; also we don’t know if Lincoln Chafee will seek re-election in 2014. The others accomplished much of what they wanted to do in their first term. Also, Gross does not focus on the extent to which the election of a president who was not a major party nominee would have huge symbolic consequences, which would spread to all areas of governance. Thanks to Sam Harley for the link.
More or less CONTROL FREAK STATISM.
What’s new since 1776 ???
See the PBS Prohibition series – the dry CONTROL FREAK fanatics get the 18th Amdt — Result – 13 years of death, destruction and MAJOR govt corruption. Repeal by 21st Amdt. in about 10 months in 1933.
Another corruption — NO re-apportionment of U.S.A. Reps in 1922-1930 due to the corrupt dry folks NOT allowing wet (urban) States to get more Reps after the 1920 gerrymander Census.
Result — many at large Reps in 1932 — with the 1933-1935 Congress machinations.
Interesting interview though both Friedman and Gross miss some of the larger points. But especially Gross with this amazing misreading of history: “The obstacles to a third party are substantially less than they were in the past.” As Richard has pointed out, Sen. Bob Lafollette didn’t join the presidential race until late July 1924, and petition requirements for the entire country were less than 100,000 signatures.
While the internet is an interesting aspect and will put its stamp on third party campaigns, the real key here is that Americans Elect will be able to deliver ready-made ballot access in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to whichever candidates wins its nomination.
I’ve always thought Daniel Gross is a smart guy. He may be open to hearing some feedback. His email addressed is listed at the bottom of his commentary: grossdaniel11@yahoo.com
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