2012: Avoiding a Third Party

In spite of the defeats of nearly 61 incumbent Democrats only weeks ago, Axelrod, Plouffe, and Obama are all salivating at their prospects for 2012, and with good reason. This year's election campaign may have been a hit for the presidency, but it showed true the ability of the third party advocates to make--or break, candidates. In California, Chelene Nightingale cost Meg Whitman considerable support, and Libertarians across the map drew enough votes to successfully, albeit narrowly, reelect many vulnerable Democrats. Our democracy fully supports active participation, but in the best interests of the people, both the Libertarians and Constitutional members will abstain from big shot campaigning in 2012, which has the pretentiousness to turn into a close race.

There is no doubt that Barack Obama has been slapped across the face; but sometimes the undecided maiden can be wooed to the injured one's side. As long as the Whitehouse can spin a convincing message that the president is being bullied by John Boehner and the Tea Party, his reelection prospects will still remain in healthy territory. So little as a bump in the economic levels could be equally endearing, and the raucous yammering of the Right about taxes is unlikely to carry through unless it can be solidified into firm pro-business message. Congress may have been won through the tactic, but no Republican, one-on-one with the president can simply hope to win  by that singular view, so precautions need to be adapted.

As if the color isn't more visible, this means blocking all those who might attempt to launch a third-party run; figures including Mike Bloomberg, Ron Paul, Jesse Ventura, or even the mentally undecided Alex Jones. Bloomberg is the largest danger because he holds a unique position of visibility, decent fiscal stewardship credentials, and a boatload of money to run with. He may also draw enough independents away from both parties to let the larger Democratic base win the night.

Paul, who is still basking in his son's recent glory in the state of Kentucky, has the potential to stand up and deliver the GOP defeat which all the Washington crowd desires. His rhetoric, often suspicious and borderline anti-Semetic, could splinter the party--at least in the media's view, and bring about a crippling downturn of hopes against the president. He leads a joint coalition with Jesse Ventura, whose 9/11 inside job claims might attract enough fringe support to hurt the GOP. More importantly, his celebrity status will attract more backing,  taking votes away from Obama's strongest opponent.

Jones...well, suffice to say we do not need more intellectually robbed individuals seeking the presidential office.

Like it or not, the Tea Party has to face the facts: Barack Obama will be re-inaugurated on January 20th, 2013 if its members continue to request ideological purity. Whoever holds the GOP banner in 2012 must be capable of appealing to the entire nation, not one small pocket of beliefs. And while conservatives outnumber liberals by a long shot, the extent which some of these candidates force their views are enough to push even the most disgruntled independents and moderates back to voting for our current commander in chief.  


Andrew Rimmer

National Alliance Vice President for Communications