I guess I missed it. I did a tag search and still found no mention.
Among all the incessant Republican Funny Follies stories on the front page, I missed any coverage here at all of the announcement of a new third party forming to challenge the corporate policies of both Democratic and Republican Parties. (I did see a recent diary about a party being founded by a bunch of wealthy types.)
Toward More, Better Democrats :Searching for Solutions at DailyKos
Its against the rules here to advocate a third party, and this diary in no way does that.
Not that I have not seen people yearning for a third party to challenge the status quo. Plenty of that in the comments and by long time posters who have a strong rep for honesty and support.
No, discussing a theoretical third party is not something people have said lightly. This is, after all a site dedicated to 'electing more, better Democrats.'
Kossacks' Work For Democrats Rocks
And since I signed on in 2007 (both my wife and I have our life subscriptions) I have seen lots of evidence of epic work for Democrats by the denizens of this community. People giving money that they sometimes did not have much of (like we retirees), giving time, making calls, giving blood/sweat/tears to GOTV --giving a great deal of in support of change, hope, and a better way of governing by our Party.
I have noticed that this musing out loud about the creation of a progressive third party as necessary to get the attention of our leadership has been on the increase over the few months, but usually it was accompanied by a statement that it probably would not happen.
Perfect Pitch
Enjoyed the FP story today:
(Still) searching for the Democratic elevator pitch+*
by Georgia Logothetis Follow for Daily Kos
Georgia noted:
Yes, the Obama team has yet to find a theme that resonates. It has bounced around from "a new foundation" to "win the future" to "we can't wait" to "giving everyone a fair shake," all to the delight of Republicans and press folks everywhere who are hanging around with Regis Philbin-like anticipation to demand "is that your final answer?"
And yes, this is what happens when messaging is imposed rather than organically grown out of a library of policy that speaks with a clear, progressive voice.
Rachel Maddow's Progressive Voice
Rachel consistently talks truth to power and exposes problems in our society and political system that get little coverage elsewhere. She is courageous and relentless in her pursuit of truth and justice, no?
Rachel Maddow Interviews Rocky Anderson
Rachel begins by giving a brief background on Rocky Anderson as a progressive Democratic Mayor, and recalls his last appearance on her show where he had good things to say about the conservative Republican Governor Huntsman.
She then just kind of lets Anderson talk, asking few questions and at the end inviting him back as the campaign continues to talk about his level of support.
Anderson reviews why he has decided to go third party. Wish there was a transcript, but could not find one.
Rocky Anderson, progressive Democrat
Rocky Anderson, wow, I have to say, what a guy, a former progressive Democrat, Mayor of Salt Lake City, the largest city in red state Utah. Another brave soul like Rachel, a Democrat who had the courage to call for the impeachment of Bush and Cheney when the Democratic Party leadership took impeachment 'off the table' and instead adopted a policy (?) of look forward not backward.
Yeah, he marches to the beat of a different drummer....
From wiki:
Controversies include:
State Senator Chris Buttars of West Jordan publicly denounced former Mayor Rocky Anderson for having "attracted the entire gay community to come and live in Salt Lake County" after a Dan Jones poll indicated strong support for allowing domestic partnerships. In the 2004 election, 63% of the city population voted against banning same-sex marriage, in agreement with Mayor Anderson.[166]
In 2000, Anderson asked the Salt Lake City Police Department to end its participation in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program. He told DARE officials: "I think your organization has been an absolute fraud on the people of this country... For you to continue taking precious drug-prevention dollars when we have such a serious and, in some instances, growing addiction problem is unconscionable."[167]
SNIP
On August 11, 2011, major news media in Utah reported that Anderson had denounced the Democratic Party and resigned his membership with it. Anderson wrote in his letter to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee that "Until the Democratic Party shows some spine and draws a line in the sand -- that an end to the tax breaks for the wealthy needs to be part of any debt/budget bill -- please take my name off your list."[179] He added that "I'm done with the Democratic Party. As I said on Amy Goodman's show a couple years ago, I've put my 'Proud Democrat' coffee mug in storage. I think now I'll just throw it in the garbage and have done with it" and that "The Constitution has been eviscerated while Democrats have stood by with nary a whimper. It is a gutless, unprincipled party, bought and paid for by the same interests that buy and pay for the Republican Party."[180]
[edit] Third-Party Run In 2012 U.S. Presidential Election
On November 29, 2011, the Salt Lake Tribune quotes Anderson as saying, "I'll be announcing my candidacy," for the 2012 presidential nomination of a new national political party. This party was not named, though it was later reported to be called the "Justice Party". Its formation is reported to have been discussed among Anderson; Margaret Flowers, a medical doctor and proponent of a single-payer health plan; Kevin Zeese, an organizer of the Occupy D.C. movement; and former U.S. Rep. John Anderson, who ran for president as an independent in 1980.[181][182][edit] Personal life
Anderson, a resident of Salt Lake City, is twice divorced and now single. He has one grown son.
Whoa, lots of us were disgusted back in August. Even kos had a front page post that said what the Obama campaign was doing was not working.
Occupy Wall Street Has Changed The Debate
Even before the birth of OWS the President had changed from engaging Republicans and promoting the debt 'crisis' debate, to talking more about jobs. Great news.
Its been an amazing ride since we witnessed the birth of Occupy Wall Street, which has at least brought more coverage to income inequality and calls for accountability by the msm.
Remains to be seen how much our Party responds to this change and how much it concrete policy it produces .
'Tilting at Windmills'
Of course Anderson and The Justice Party have an epic amount of work ahead to get on the ballot in 50 states, etc. Who knows if Anderson would even be allowed on TV debates with the other two Parties' nominees?
Is it time for new party system in U.S.?
By paul rolly
The Salt Lake Tribune
First published Dec 10 2011 01:01AM
Updated 1 hour ago
But Zeitz, who only met Anderson a month ago, says the country is on the precipice of change and the Justice Party is emerging at precisely the right moment.
He and Anderson say that in their organizational meetings and their outreach to key political figures nationally, they have received support from Democrats, Republicans, independents, Libertarians and Green Party folks.
“The uniting issue,” says Zeitz, “is the corporate, monied dominance over the political process.”
Zeitz, a physician, is executive director of the Global AIDS Alliance and has been involved in international public health issues for more than 20 years. He has been a high-profile advocate for human rights, a guest on numerous television and radio programs, and has had columns published in The New York Times, The Boston Globe and other major newspapers. He helped create and currently chairs the board of directors of Global Action for Children.
Unemployment Extension and Hostage Taking
Many of us are not looking forward to Congress dealing with the Unemployment Extension, are fearful that too great of concessions will be made to Republicans...
As numerous people have argued over the last few months, perhaps Anderson's Justice Party campaign can have some influence on the Party and debate, and push our top elected officials back away from the its long slide toward government of, by, and for the 1%. I hope something does.
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Video of Rachel Maddow's show with Rocky Anderson is below the wide eyed bug.
Rocky Anderson talks formation and platform of new United States political party -- The Justice Party -- and presidential run for office in 2012.