According to the Associated Press, the GOP is making a grab at the Northeast. Whether or not they have a chance, the article briefly mentions the GOP’s problem of being associated with the Tea Party.
Both major parties are fractured now. Their loyalties are being divided. The Democrats are lined up with or against the President. The GOP is with the Tea Party or against it. New lines are being drawn in the sand and the opening is there for those who want it. In other words, third parties need to get busy.
Republicans have been able to exploit the social and racial divisions of the Democrats for years. The Democrats have been largely unable to do the reverse. However, during the work to get the health care bill passed in Congress, there were a few Republicans that supported Democrats’ ideas. Now Republicans are dividing over whether or not they support the Tea Party movement. If this divide could be exploited, the Democrats would not be the only ones to possibly benefit from it.
Independent voters are the largest group of voters right now. Even people who do have a registered party are becoming more and more upset by the status quo of Congress. The time is ripe for someone to grab those voters with new ideas, new plans and new strategies. In order to achieve this, third parties will have to get serious.
The best way to further these fractures is to campaign with mudslinging, honest criticism and accusations of being a witch or whatever. An active campaign to draw voters is vital. Demonstrate that, as a third party, you have new ideas and are serious about achieving them.
Next, focus locally for a while. Local elections are a great way for third parties to attract attention. Especially if the two major parties are sticking to their platforms despite local differences. For example, if an area is fiscally conservative but socially liberal, perhaps they might be open to a party that isn’t just straight liberal or conservative. Local elections then provide an avenue for chances of getting elected. Third parties have known this for a while, but now they need to think big.
Once local elections start to turn in a third party’s favor, as they hopefully will, further aim can be made at national elections. The House of Representatives offers the best chance for this because of the frequent elections and district division of the states.
Above all, what must be maintained is patience. If third parties want to be serious about getting their people elected to enact their plans, it’s going to take a while. Recent elections have proven people will vote for change if they want it, but it’s not a guarantee. Patience, a strong will and some deep pockets will all be needed. It may take years, or more likely decades, but if it’s done right and carefully, this nation could have the voting diversity it needs to replace partisan deadlock with some other form of deadlock. Eh, it’s still change.
