OntheWilderSide

There is a long story with other commentary on this situation as Independent Political Report. Pundits are taking note of the 23rd CD race in New York that is becoming a race between Democrat Bill Owens and Conservative (not on the Republican Party line) Doug Hoffman. And, also, the New Jersey Governor’s race with Democrat Jon Corzine, Republican Chris Christie, and Independent Chris Daggett (who is polling suprisingly high.)

(excerpt from) Washington Post/AP
Third party challenges in NJ, NY are warning sign
by Beth Fouhy / Saturday, October 31, 2009

NEW YORK — Third party candidates are shaking up two major races in elections Tuesday, and the success of those candidacies is a warning shot fired at both major parties by voters angry at government and disillusioned by politics as usual…

…the impact of those candidacies on the high-profile contests points to an anti-incumbent, anti-establishment sentiment that could be a prevailing theme in the 2010 congressional elections and beyond.

“What it says is the public is looking for less self-interested parties and candidates who can reflect the needs of a very frustrated public,” said Douglas Astolfi, a history professor at Florida’s St. Leo University. “We have two wars and we’re in a recession that neither party seems to address in any positive way. There’s a deep sense that government has abandoned the common man. People are frustrated and angry.”

Indeed, a Wall Street Journal-NBC News poll released last week found that trust in government is at a 12-year low, and half of all Americans now support the creation of a new political party.

Both parties ignore such sentiment at their peril in 2010 and perhaps into the 2012 presidential race…

On the other side, Democratic strategists worry that progressives, disgusted by the big money bank bailout and disillusioned with President Barack Obama’s lack of fight on issues such as a government-run health insurance plan, might keep some people from voting. That could cost Democrats seats up and down the ballot…[Editor’s note: notice how this article ignores progressives, dissatisfied with Obama because of the wars?-KW]

Filed under: 3rd party, Election 2009, elections, New York State Politics, News, politics, progressive politics, third party, US Politics Tagged: | Bill Owens, Chris Christie, Chris Daggett, Doug Hoffman, Election 2010, Jon Corzine, third party