What the hecking heck am I talking about? The Independence Party of Minnesota?
Yes, it's an officially recognized political party in the state of Minnesota and this erstwhile party automatically gets a line in the state ballot on election day. In the past, the party has received more than the minimum number of votes to get on the ballot according to the laws of Minnesota.
Remember the 1992 and 1996 Presidential candidate named Ross Perot? His Reform Party transformed into the Minnesota Independence Party, whose candidate, Jesse "The Body" Ventura (former fake wrestler from WWF/WWE) was actually elected Governor of MN and served from 1999 to 2003. That's why the Independence Party still gets a line on the MN ballot. In the past they got enough votes to be on the ballot to be counted as a major party.
So what's new with Minnesota's Independence Party this year? Well, the party apparently hates their official U.S. Senate candidate who's running against Al Franken. More details below the squiggly curlicue of orange curly things.
The Independence Party is Disgusted by its Senate candidate--
Here's a link to an article: Independence Party disowns its Senate candidate. The party endorsed one guy, but a different guy won the Primary Election. The Independence Party claims to be fiscally conservative and socially liberal. But the guy who they endorsed (a mildly crazy guy) was defeated by a wildly crazy guy who seems to verge on lunacy.
The Independence Party doesn't like the over-the-edge Tea-Party candidate who won the primary, Steve Carlson:
They are aghast at the selection of Carlson, the Independence Party’s candidate for Congress in the 4th District in 2010 and 2012. Among other things, he has defended a Missouri Senate candidate's remarks about "legitimate rape," alleged a war on white males and said the person who shot and killed Trayvon Martin "provided a valuable service."
Carlson, who could not be reached for comment, has posted several rambling video monologues on his website. One tells voters that he is "a serious politician who writes, performs and raps." Others cover everything from the federal health care law to his opposition to light rail transit and a call for stronger prohibitions against usury.
But Carlson's victory on Tuesday means that on the November ballot he will appear on the top of the ticket for the Independence Party.
At the top of the ticket. I'm sure the Independence Party leaders are cringing.
Here's the crazy guy explaining why Obamacare is bad (this guy is on the ballot, running against Al Franken -- and I dare you to listen to his whole speech):
The good news is...
If this party doesn't get 5% of the vote in this election, they won't qualify to be on the ballot automatically in future elections. And they'll fade away. Guys like this will end up screaming at the leaves on trees. Or arguing with clouds. Or shouting at the girl in the Burger King drive through window.