On Wed, 23 Nov 1994, Matt Zeidenberg wrote:
>
> ------- Forwarded Message
> From: Daniel Cantor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
> To: FRIENDS OF THE NEW PARTY
> RE: Draft Op-Ed
> The End of Liberalism?
> The Democrats, the Elections and the Rise of Independent
> Politics.
>
[material about the Dems and Clinton's relentless pandering to the right
excised]
> It may be that such a party is already in formation. (A
> massive Times-Mirror poll registered 53% of the public in
> favor of a "major third party," so there's no doubt that the
> soil is fertile). Among the hopeful contenders is the "New
> Party," one of a handful of newly forming independent,
> progressive parties in the country. New Party chapters have
> backed 93 candidates in nine states over the last eighteen
> months and won 62 elections. On November 8th, New Party
> candidates went 24 for 36 in local elections for city council,
> school board, zoning board and the like. Their program:
> democratic reform, economic fairness, environmental
> sustainability and a large dose of common sense. This
> election is startlingly clear evidence of just how ripe the
> moment is for such a new party, and for just such common
> sense, in American politics.
Democratic reform? Economic fairness? Environmental sustainability?
Common sense? Nice words, New Partisans, but what do they mean? Who would
disagree with any of this? It's about as bland as the usual politician's
bleating about change. Where's that fundamental rethink of basic
institutions that Rogers and Pope called for in their Nation manifesto?
One might suspect they're pitching for the same Perotians that Clinton
is, and that they're afraid of blowing it by getting too specific. More
thought and less posturing please.
Doug
Doug Henwood [[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Left Business Observer
212-874-4020 (voice)
212-874-3137 (fax)
