Wanted: a new centre party for lost Americans (Running with the Loony Left Will Ruin Your Brain)

Sunday Times ^ | 8/13/06 | Andrew Sullivan

[alex]

The Republican party’s response to Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman’s narrow defeat in last Tuesday’s primary in the northern state of Connecticut was predictable, but not irrational.

----SNIP---

And so their vote is not necessarily a rabidly left-wing sign. Lieberman’s loss wasn’t that huge either, suggesting that the anti-war sentiment, even among the Democratic base voters, is not overwhelming. And he has a small chance of pulling off a victory in November as an independent.

----SNIP---

A couple of months ago I fantasised about a dream ticket that could both unite the US and rejoin the battle against Islamist terror with new vigour and integrity. An independent McCain-Lieberman ticket for 2008? Stranger things have happened. And, given the bizarre history of the past six years, stranger things no doubt will.

[alex]

From one side this is an unremarkable run-of-the-mill reaction to the recent events in Connecticut. From another side it is an astonishing illustration of how badly Andrew's brain had deteriorated.

For the most of the article he argues that Lieberman loss was a not so big deal, but concludes it with the notion that it is big enough to split Dims into two parties.

Again, running with the loony left is very dangerous for your brain.

[SittinYonder]

An independent McCain-Lieberman ticket for 2008?

Dare to dream.

[There You Go Again]

I don't care to read Andrew's article, but I do think Lieberman should run as an independent in 2008 if he can win this fall....what a way to stick it to the Dems who abandoned him....and he would surely get between 2% to 15% of the Dem. vote......plus...what have you got to lose? Have fun, be your own man...no more having to cater to the loons on the left. I won't vote for him...but if I were him, I'd do it....Just getting 2 or 3% of the vote would really screw the Dems....

[ClaireSolt]

I'd love to see us elect a non-partisan American president with great managerial and people skills. I suggest Jack Welch.

[Celtjew Libertarian]

I don't agree with a lot of Sullivan's details -- I'm far less critical of Bush and I do not consider Gore to be a grown-up for two -- but he is essentially correct. There is a lot of room in the center for a new party. Hopefully, one that would marginalize the hate-America crowd on the left.

[BW2221]

Depending on the nominees, you could see numerous "third parties" spring up. If Rudy is the GOP nominee, I can see a number of social conservatives seeking a new home (perhaps the Constitution Party). It could make for an interesting election, although the Electoral College discourages "third party" attempts.

[alex]

Even a broken clock tells a correct time twice a day, so I do not concern myself whether Andrew's predictions are right or not

My point was that if Dims could split as result of Lieberman's defeat - it is a big deal.

[Mark was here]

I have heard it said that McCain was the only POW to gain weight.

[Suzy Quzy]

Did he mention Gay Marriage??? I can't bear to read him anymore because no matter the subject he brings Gay up.

[dirtboy]

The Gang of 14, centrists all, controls the judicial confirmation process in the Senate. As polarized as the two parties have become, the centrists have a lot of pull in the legislature.

However, only one man can sit in the Oval Office, and centrists by themselves are not a majority.

I can see where both parties could rift in 2008. We're already seeing the Dems split apart. However, the far left is less than one-third of the populace. I see conservatives making up forty percent. Which means if a centrist party forms, they will not outnumber the right. And such a split could lead the way to getting a total conservative in the White House, instead of a partial one who feels the need to pander to centrists in the current two-party structure.

[Godebert]

"Dare to dream."

If McCain-Lieberman is your "dream ticket".....you're in the wrong forum.

[RoadTest]

"An independent McCain-Lieberman ticket for 2008?"

O.K. except for the McCain part.