07/13/2002 Archived Entry: "MN Independence Party"
The centrist-oriented party is reaping a harvest of new candidates in the wake of Penny's switch. Robertson is one of two Republican state senators who joined the IP on July 9 after the state Republican Party endorsed more conservative challengers. Seven Republicans and Democrats --two former state legislators and five city and county officials -- announced their conversions July 11.
Jack Uldrich, who took a leave from his post as IP chairman to manage Penny's campaign, said he expects more defections before the state's July 16 candidate filing deadline. He attributes the moves to Penny. "People are starting to see the party for what it is and say, 'If Tim Penny is comfortable there, we should take a look at it,'" he said. Uldrich had long worked on bringing the new recruits into the party's fold and said that Penny now joins him in that task.
The above is from the WA Post. There are at least 9 have joined the Independence Party.
Tim Penny today claimed the Independence Party's nomination for Governor in MN. I need to do some background research on this, iirc, Ross Perot's Reform Party, from which the state's Independence Party (IP) later split, was actually named the Independence Party in many states, but not all, back during his '92 and '96 campaigns. Again, iirc, it had something to do with the IP name not being available in certain states.
Against state House Majority Leader Roger Moe, and the Republican nominee, state Senate Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty and Green Party nominee Ken Pentel, who knows how this might turn out by November. I think there's a shot here that Penny might take a 10% lead and never look back, especially with these defections occurring. And given these developments, I would expect the IP's candidates in other races to be stronger than previously. As for endorsements, Democratic U.S. Rep. Bill Luther also is seeking IP endorsement and is likely to receive it, Barkley said. The IP will have a candidate who is potentially competitive for the US Senate as well. 5-10 percent seems likely here, with Wellstone the benefactor.
...commercial banker Jim Moore defeated University of Minnesota instructor and author Alan Fine for the U.S. Senate endorsement... Barkley, in the 1994 U.S. Senate campaign drew the 5 percent support needed for the IP to gain major status, said the party's moderate message of social acceptance and fiscal responsibility should resonate with voters who have become disenfranchised with special interest influence and political litmus tests...
Replies: 4 comments
I think political independence in states such as Minnesota can stage a strong, national independent party. But this party should be more moderate, because Ralph Nader's Green Party is just too liberal for most people.
Posted by Richard R. Soto @ 07/13/2002 11:20 PM PST
The DFL is one of the most liberal state Democratic Party in the nation, even the Senate candidate for the Greens is to the right of Wellstone, except for his quasi-spiritual stands (which don't seem to manifest in relation to the WOT).
Still, the IP seems to be gaining strength in MN due to the ultra-right turn of the Republican Party in the state, which is becoming, in principle & platform, a de facto Constitution Party.
Posted by myDD @ 07/14/2002 07:57 AM PST
In wake of scandals, corporate oversight becomes issue in Senate race-- this has a short clip of Moore speaking. He's quite shaky, and the photo shows it as well, he'll need to work on it, they had some q & a's, but it isn't broadcasted, just blank space.
http://news.mpr.org/features/200207/08_mccalluml_wellstoneruns/
Posted by MyDD @ 07/14/2002 08:41 AM PST
I don't care that much about internal Minn. politics, but I do love to see anything that benefits Wellstone. Also, any time a state Republican party has an implosion it brings a smile to my face. It happened in California and I believe it might be happening in Oregon, too.
Posted by Oregonian @ 07/16/2002 11:47 PM PST
