Where are the Independents? -- Taegan Goddard's Political Wire

October 14, 2005

Where are the Independents?

"The current political environment is more favorable to third-party candidates than any time since the early 1990s" writes Josh Goodman on Governing magazine's blog. Back then, we saw Lowell Weicker in Connecticut, Angus King in Maine, Wally Hickel in Alaska and Jesse Ventura in Minnesota all winning independent gubernatorial bids. Nonetheless, Goodman can't "name a single credible candidate for governor in 2006 who isn't a Democrat or Republican."

This is highlighted by the recent news that billionaire Tom Golisano abandoned New York's Independence Party and became a Republican to run for governor a fourth time.

The reason? The two major parties have an enormous advantage over independents and it's not just money. "Both have created massive databases of persuadable voters, possess the backing of armies of trained political operatives and have marshaled thousands of dedicated volunteers to their causes. Any third-party candidate, no matter how appealing his or her message, lacks these critical resources."

Update: A Political Wire reader reminds us that Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is making a very credible run for U.S. Senate in Vermont.

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Taegan D. Goddard is the creator of Political Wire, a political column updated around the clock with the most interesting news, buzz and commentary.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country, including the Washington Post, USA Today, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer and Christian Science Monitor.

This is a personal site and does not necessarily reflect the views of any company, political campaign or advocacy group.

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Taegan Goddard's Political Wire

October 14, 2005