Posted on 10/18/2024 2:43:17 PM PDT by Angelino97
Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin recently explored options she feels are available to conservatives critical of Donald Trump’s influence over the Republican Party, including electoral fusionism and the feasibility of organizing a new party.
In her opinion piece, Rubin, a former conservative commentator who later became a critic of the former president, outlines several paths for Trump-critical conservatives beyond remaining in the Republican Party. Rubin first suggests that disaffected conservatives could align themselves with the right flank of the Democratic Party, comparing it to what the Democratic Leadership Council did in the 1980s and 1990s. However, she points out that this approach would likely lead to ideological clashes and minimal success in primary races outside reliably Republican districts.
Rubin’s second and third points, however, explore the viability of establishing a new political party entirely. On one hand, she considers the creation of a new party, which she suggests could be called the “Rule of Law Party” or the “Lincoln Party.” Alternatively, Rubin considers the practicality of creating a fusion-focused organization that would support candidates across party lines.
Notably, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, a central figure in the Trump-critical wing of the Republican Party, also recently mentioned the possibility of organizing a new conservative party in response to Trump’s dominance over the GOP during a recent interview at the Cap Times Ideas Fest. However, Cheney referred to the concept only vaguely, saying there needs to exist “some entity” and did not explore the idea in as much detail as Rubin.
Although Rubin acknowledges the common challenges faced by third parties and independent candidates—such as ballot access and voter reluctance—she suggests opportunities may exist in districts where Democrats are less established and non-competitive. More specifically, Rubin references the independent Senate campaign of Dan Osborn in Nebraska, suggesting that his potential success in a reliably Republican state could offer a roadmap for Trump-critical conservatives to emulate.
Rubin’s second point is something that has been attempted by established third parties in the past, albeit with limited success. In 2020, the Libertarian Party successfully elected Marshall Burt to the Wyoming state legislature as part of the Frontier Project, an initiative that later partnered with the Libertarian National Committee to pool resources in districts where no other candidates had filed beyond the incumbent. While active, the Frontier Project specifically focused on vulnerable districts in Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas.
In addition to Burt, the Frontier Project also nearly elected Bethany Baldes that same year in another Wyoming legislative district, where Baldes received 49.4% of the vote. In both instances, only two candidates appeared on the ballot, with Burt facing a Democratic incumbent and Baldes facing a Republican candidate for an open seat.
Rubin also explores fusion voting and the possibility of establishing a party that endorses candidates from other organizations. She references New York’s Working Families and Conservative Parties, which both frequently support candidates outside their own party lines due to New York’s unique laws surrounding electoral fusionism. Rubin suggests that a center-right fusion party could function similarly by backing Democratic and Republican candidates who align with conservative values. However, she notes that fusion parties may not fully satisfy individuals like Cheney, who she suggests might be more interested in winning and governing directly rather than just influencing elections.
Rubin’s third point also happens to reflect the current strategy of the Forward Party, which announced this week that it is endorsing over 100 candidates for next month’s elections. While the party is running a limited number of candidates under the Forward ballot line in select states, it is primarily backing a coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and independents, alongside a handful of candidates affiliated with the Libertarian, Alliance, and United Utah parties.
Is she even a biological woman?!
Late-stage TDS is bad for the punim.
Whatever that is, it spends a lot of time being very angry. Deep vertical wrinkles on it’s forehead.
“right flank of the Democratic party?” That no longer exists.
“former conservative”
Excellent idea, get out and don't come back but you have to take Mitch McConnel with you. Your new party of 400 rinos will be a powerhouse.
Conservative? There’s nothing I’d want from her to conserve.
The Wikipedia article on her is interesting:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Rubin_(columnist)
Among her passions are Lindsey Graham and gay marriage.
Lol.
She’s not just another pretty face.
These people ran up $36T in debt that pretty much all of Washington is going to ignore until it destroys everything.
But as such, why would they think they are entitled to opinions on governance, at all?
Jennifer Rubin = Bolshevik JINO.
I wonder how often she has to shave. /spit
Now that black men are overcoming, self sufficient married fathers, Democrats say no, take some free weed and get back in line with your handout.
Minorities who are trying to overcome, relying on assistance, see the illegals getting the hand up/out instead of them.
“align themselves with the right flank of the Democratic Party”
LOLOLOLOL....Let’s see, Kennedy and Gabbard are out. There is NO MORE “right flank.” Maybe Cheny could become the new pretend “right flank.”
Kind of looks like Harris rode hard and put away wet.
“Fusion”?
You bet! I’m ready for some Chinese food.
“Is she even a biological woman?!”
given that she was born, raised, and lives in Bizarro World, i’m not even sure that’s a meaningful question ...
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