Re: RE: Sen. Jefferts leaves Republican party

[Margaret Coleman <drmsecon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Max wrote in part:
>It does make a difference which party is in
>power.  That's why we should look to third
>parties to build public support for progressive
>issues and exert pressure on the Dems. mbs
What kind of 3rd party would you build?  In the last couple of decades
attempts have been made at several types of 3rd parties, both
conservative and progressive, and they have all failed.  Why do you
think this is and what type of party would galvanize progressives?  Of
course, for conservatives, one could argue that the Right to Life Party
has been successful in terms of influence, but they have not been
successful in mainstreaming their party line.  maggie coleman

Max Sawicky wrote:

> There is no Dem who would not prefer to be
> in the majority, given the power implied by
> committee chairmanships and control over
> legislative resources.  The centrist Dems
> will be more powerful, not less.
>
> A big problem is the unreconstructed Repugs
> in the House.  Their intransigence could mean
> lots of gridlock -- both sides doing things
> to position themselves for the next election,
> rather than pass anything.
>
> If Bush retains his influence in the House,
> we could see something much more like Bush I
> than the way this was shaping up.  Bush's
> daddy got rolled all over the place by
> George Mitchell.  That's why I once predicted
> a renaissance of domestic spending, before it
> was clear that Dubya was not inclined to follow
> in his father's footsteps.  Now he may be
> forced to.  Complaints over the education
> bill by conservatives are a model of what
> may be in store.
>
> It does make a difference which party is in
> power.  That's why we should look to third
> parties to build public support for progressive
> issues and exert pressure on the Dems.
>
> mbs
>
> It has always seemed to me that conservative
> Democrats prefer to have Republicans in control
> of either the legislative or executive branch or
> both.  In this way, they can vote in support of
> their donors and plead the need for bipartisan
> compromise to their constituents.  So what will
> they do with their new control over the Senate?
> Use it to stonewall Bush or argue that
> they still need to compromise with a Republican
> House?  What are your thoughts on this Max?
>
>                         Ellen Frank