AFS Cinema
Independent Parties Here to Stay
RECEIVED Tue., Nov. 9, 2004
Dear Editor,
Regarding the presidential election, one wonders whether lambasting independents represents good politics. Few independents I know crossed party lines this year to support Kerry. Why would they? After being ridiculed for four years, would you be swayed?
Consider successful center-left candidates: Tony Blair stays in office – how? With Tory support? Puh-lease! One way is by pragmatically emphasizing policy. Another is demonstrating that the Labour Party occupies the moderate wing of British politics.
Mainstream analysts point out that Bush peeled off a significant portion of the Jewish vote in Broward County and elsewhere this year. How can this happen? Bush is no more pro-Israel than Kerry. Third parties are here to stay, and, if politicians are smart, they can learn how to use them to their benefit. Do I need to spell it out in stark terms? We are the ones who reject pro-Likud Party politics in the Middle East, we are the ones who support gay marriage, we are the ones who support the cessation of the war on drugs.
Regarding the presidential election, one wonders whether lambasting independents represents good politics. Few independents I know crossed party lines this year to support Kerry. Why would they? After being ridiculed for four years, would you be swayed?
Consider successful center-left candidates: Tony Blair stays in office – how? With Tory support? Puh-lease! One way is by pragmatically emphasizing policy. Another is demonstrating that the Labour Party occupies the moderate wing of British politics.
Mainstream analysts point out that Bush peeled off a significant portion of the Jewish vote in Broward County and elsewhere this year. How can this happen? Bush is no more pro-Israel than Kerry. Third parties are here to stay, and, if politicians are smart, they can learn how to use them to their benefit. Do I need to spell it out in stark terms? We are the ones who reject pro-Likud Party politics in the Middle East, we are the ones who support gay marriage, we are the ones who support the cessation of the war on drugs.
George Leake