People will biatch and moan about how they hate the two party system. They will then vote for one of the two parties because they don't want to throw their vote away.

/the only vote wasted is one where you are voting for someone you don't want

fta:

On the forefront of this battle are Doug Hoffman and Paul C. McKain, two third-party candidates fighting to preserve and protect the conservative principles of freedom, responsibility and self-reliance on which our country was founded.

ROFL

"freedom, responsibility and self-reliance" are anathema to neoconservatives.

39 clicks and Error establishing a database connection.

That's thirty-nine, folks.

Link farked. Has the demise of/a solid schism within the Republican Party happened, after a mere 15 months of waiting and predicting?

// and hoping

FlashHarry: "freedom, responsibility and self-reliance" are anathema to neoconservatives.

Hoffman is anti-choice and anti-gay marriage. If that doesn't spell "Pro-Freedom" I don't know what does.

THX 1138: 39 clicks and Error establishing a database connection.

That's thirty-nine, folks.

This website is a failure

THX 1138: 39 clicks and Error establishing a database connection.

That's thirty-nine, folks.

Our dissent will now be uninformed.

Dr Dreidel: Link farked. Has the demise of/a solid schism within the Republican Party happened, after a mere 15 months of waiting and predicting?

// and hoping

As eager as I am for this, 1 special election congress candidate and one other congressional candidate does not a schism make.

karasoth: THX 1138: 39 clicks and Error establishing a database connection.

That's thirty-nine, folks.

This website is a failure

I am Jack's crashed server.

karasoth: THX 1138: 39 clicks and Error establishing a database connection.

That's thirty-nine, folks.

This website is a failure

Because it gave the same error to me, then worked, here is TFA:

Almost everyone can agree that honesty, credibility and accountability are sorely lacking in Washington DC. Year after year the American people are promised reform and transparency, but year after year the hidden earmarks, mind-numbing rhetoric and back-room dealings persist. Votes are purchased by special interest groups that can shell out more political capital in a day than most people can earn in a lifetime. Name-calling, finger pointing and personal feuds dominate discussion on the House floor. Complacency has so deeply taken root that many politicians are literally comfortable passing thousand-page, billion-dollar, paradigm-shifting bills they haven't even read.

For the most part Americans are willing to overlook Washington's hypocrisy, but as unemployment and deficit spending skyrocket, so does the dissatisfaction of American voters. It is no surprise that more and more people are feeling abandoned by the two-party system.

Where this existing framework deteriorates, Middle America's movement for appropriate representation establishes its foundation. Grassroots campaigns are emerging across the country, giving a voice to the no-longer-silent majority of American citizens. On the forefront of this battle are Doug Hoffman and Paul C. McKain, two third-party candidates fighting to preserve and protect the conservative principles of freedom, responsibility and self-reliance on which our country was founded.

Doug Hoffman has recently gained a considerable amount of media attention during his Congressional campaign in New York's 23rd District. Only a few days ago, his Republican opponent Dierdre Scozzafava dropped out of the race, giving Hoffman a slight lead against Democrat Bill Owens.

As much as they tried to dismiss Hoffman's campaign as irrelevant, news of his increasing support was not taken lightly by the two-party establishment. Immediately after Scozzafava retracted her candidacy, Owens received a healthy donation from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to launch a brand-new slew of attack ads aimed at destroying Hoffman's credibility. Already both of his opponents have launched over 876,000 dollars worth of TV commercials.

Nevertheless Doug Hoffman moves forward, intent on bringing his message of Conservatism to the people of New York.

In Florida's 2nd District, a similar story is unfolding. Conservative Paul C. McKain is going up against Democratic incumbent Allen Boyd and Republican challenger Ed Hendry. McKain represents the Modern Whig Party, whose views emphasize energy independence, fiscal responsibility, state sovereignty, proper veteran's assistance, Constitutional values and scientific advancement.

Paul McKain is determined to bring true citizen participation in government to the constituents of his district. His position is simple: People have a right to be consulted openly and honestly by their representatives on important issues. Once Americans experience the "real" transparency he outlines in his platform, no candidate will ever be able to get elected without earning the public's full trust. Coercion, duress and half-truths have no place in the democratic process.

While some people may not agree with Paul McKain on every issue, at least they'll know where he stands... with the voters. Having already turned down multiple PACs and special-interest contributions, Paul McKain has vowed to only accept individual donations. In a recent interview with True Politics USA, McKain stated "I will be owned by no one but the people. If elected, I consider myself 'public property' for the course of my term in office."

This effort to break Washington's debilitating partisan stranglehold over the American electorate might sound lofty, but McKain is no stranger to confrontation.

For 23 years Paul McKain served as a firefighter and paramedic at Sunrise Florida Fire/Rescue Department. For over six years he battled with the pool and spa industry, eventually convincing Congress to mandate that a vacuum release system he invented be put on every public pool and spa in America. This invention drastically reduces the amount of accidental pool injuries and deaths that occur every year. In his book, Sucessful Failures: So You Have an Idea, Now What?, McKain outlines this deeply personal struggle and gives advice to aspiring entrepreneurs on how to put their innovations to good use in the greatest country on earth.

Throughout his life as a teacher, firefighter and inventor, Paul McKain has defined what it means to live the American Dream. Now he is fighting to make sure that the tremendous opportunities afforded to him remain available for all Americans.

"The America today is not the America I grew up in. If we continue down this path, my kids will not have the same opportunities I had; they will lose the ability to succeed or fail of their volition. Public office is not something I wanted to seek, but if I didn't fight to change the direction of this country, I couldn't look my kids in the eyes anymore. Fighting is in my blood, and this is the only way I know how."

Many people have reservations about voting for a third party, wondering whether or not their voice will be heard amidst the overbearing partisan bickering that dominates modern political discussion. Thanks to the principled and resolute stances taken by candidates like Doug Hoffman and Paul C. McKain, our voices are louder than ever.

The city of Tallahassee has a unique opportunity to singlehandedly change the tone of American politics. By supporting and researching our own third-party Dark Horse, Paul McKain, we can help break the caustic cycle of corruption that has consumed our nation's political system.

eddyatwork: People will biatch and moan about how they hate the two party system. They will then vote for one of the two parties because they don't want to throw their vote away.

/the only vote wasted is one where you are voting for someone you don't want

Hey, don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

You know I'm trust worthy and love America because I write in these colors.

eddyatwork: the only vote wasted is one where you are voting for someone you don't want

Yup. Insert South Park "douche bag versus shiat sandwich" reference here.

I'm curious if we have any Farkers who live in an area with a preferential voting system, like what's used in New South Wales. Is it really better when you have five or six candidates or political parties, or do you just get a wider selection of crap from which to choose from?

Look at that. Another shiatty blog for me to not click on.

Oh, it's dead already just like the "conservative" "movement".

For over six years he battled with the pool and spa industry,

Wow. The pool and spa industry?

They are worse than Al-Qaeda, ACORN and NAMBLA combined!

Yeah, this looks like the kind of guy you want on the forefront of a battle:



A battle against consciousness, perhaps...

Dinjiin: Yup. Insert South Park "douche bag versus shiat sandwich" reference here.

I love this comparison.

Douchebags, while silly, actually help the world they are in. They clean up and prevent infection.

Of course, most people just go "HURR DURR THEYRE THE SAME".

/they are the same
//so vote republican

I Said: Hoffman is anti-choice and anti-gay marriage. If that doesn't spell "Pro-Freedom" I don't know what does.

Ok, that gave me a chuckle.

McKain represents the Modern Whig Party, whose views emphasize energy independence, (drill, baby, drill) fiscal responsibility, (irresponsible tax cuts) state sovereignty, (slavery) proper veteran's assistance, (a hearty salute and a firm handshake) Constitutional values (guns) and scientific advancement (new ways to drill, baby).

vernonFL: For over six years he battled with the pool and spa industry,

Wow. The pool and spa industry?

They are worse than Al-Qaeda, ACORN and NAMBLA combined!

Yeah, I loved that part where the guy invented something and then "convincing Congress to mandate that a vacuum release system he invented be put on every public pool and spa in America."

I sense a connection between this guy and John Edwards.

IXI Jim IXI: Yeah, this looks like the kind of guy you want on the forefront of a battle:

A battle against consciousness, perhaps...

"Vote for McKain. His mustache makes his head look eerily symmetrical."

vernonFL: They are worse than Al-Qaeda, ACORN and NAMBLA combined!

Think of the children! How many children have Al-Qaeda killed in the states of California, Arizona and Florida? How many have perished in the watery death traps that the pool industry have unscrupulously placed in our yards and play parks?

There is a danger here, and it isn't originating from the Middle East.

This is hilarious.

The marched-out talking point from the Obama Administration and the DNC is currently that Hoffman's victory is bad for the GOP, is a rebuke of the GOP.

It's utter horseshiat.

The local party put up a bad candidate, an intolerable candidate for the majority of REPUBLICANS there.

Hoffman runs on what are supposed to be REPUBLICAN principles.

He is embraced by REPUBLICANS and the national REPUBLICAN Party.

Scozzafava slinks away and urges her supporters to endorse the Democrat. (Hmm... that doesn't sound very REPUBLICAN.)

Hoffman in Congress will be one of the most reliable REPUBLICAN votes in the chamber.


It's so transparent what this is about. There's about to be a referendum on where Obama and Pelosi are attempting to take the country. And Republicans are about win the governorships of Virginia (carried by Obama last November) and New Jersey (where the incumbent is a Democrat and where Obama's been in a panic campaigning). And the New York 23rd doesn't exactly sound like a victory for Obamism, either.

Not only are Republicans winning; conservative Republicans are winning. The kind who reject the domestic Republican policies practiced by George W. Bush, Dennis Hastert and Bill Frist.

But please, tell us how Tuesday's Republican clean sweep of the most important races means nothing. Attempt to distract us with (*snicker*) how the GOP is destroying itself as it kicks Democrats' asses on Tuesday.

Spin, Obamites! Spin!!

I Said: FlashHarry: "freedom, responsibility and self-reliance" are anathema to neoconservatives.

Hoffman is anti-choice and anti-gay marriage. If that doesn't spell "Pro-Freedom" I don't know what does.

Tough choice: Pro-baby-killing or pro-free-market.

Clarence Potter: vernonFL: For over six years he battled with the pool and spa industry,

Wow. The pool and spa industry?

They are worse than Al-Qaeda, ACORN and NAMBLA combined!

Yeah, I loved that part where the guy invented something and then "convincing Congress to mandate that a vacuum release system he invented be put on every public pool and spa in America."

I sense a connection between this guy and John Edwards.

Odd, because it's usually John Edward who does the sensing of connections.

FishingWithFredo: This is hilarious.

The marched-out talking point from the Obama Administration and the DNC is currently that Hoffman's victory is bad for the GOP, is a rebuke of the GOP.

It's utter horseshiat.

The local party put up a bad candidate, an intolerable candidate for the majority of REPUBLICANS there.

Hoffman runs on what are supposed to be REPUBLICAN principles.

He is embraced by REPUBLICANS and the national REPUBLICAN Party.

You didn't get halfway through that post before failing.

mycatisposter: Tough choice: Pro-baby-killing or pro-free-market.

I see you aren't addressing gay marriage. So what free market practices does he wish to introduce to NY-23? Do you have any idea, or does a conservative simply screaming "FREE MARKET" mean he's got a plan for implementing free market ideals in an area where he sees too much government control?

For over six years he battled with the pool and spa industry, eventually convincing Congress to mandate that a vacuum release system he invented be put on every public pool and spa in America. This invention drastically reduces the amount of accidental pool injuries and deaths that occur every year.

I think that's the same problem that John Edwards won that big lawsuit over, you know when the pool sucked out the little girl's insides? The one that all the right wingers use as an example of him being a terrible, anti-business, ambulance chaser? I guess fixing that problem is ok with conservatives, but compensating the victims isn't. Also, isn't it a bit odd for a "small government" conservative to be bragging about how he got the Congress to pass a nation wide business regulation?

After checking out the link: I take it Tarquin Fin-tim-lin-bin-whin-bim-lim bus stop F'tang F'tang Ole Biscuitbarrel was unavailable.

Frankenstein's monster has turned on it's creator.

A vote for Hoffman is a vote for Wapner!

FishingWithFredo: But please, tell us how Tuesday's Republican clean sweep of the most important races means nothing.

Gary, is that you?

I Said: FishingWithFredo: This is hilarious.

The marched-out talking point from the Obama Administration and the DNC is currently that Hoffman's victory is bad for the GOP, is a rebuke of the GOP.

It's utter horseshiat.

The local party put up a bad candidate, an intolerable candidate for the majority of REPUBLICANS there.

Hoffman runs on what are supposed to be REPUBLICAN principles.

He is embraced by REPUBLICANS and the national REPUBLICAN Party.

You didn't get halfway through that post before failing.

Really? That right?

FishingWithFredo: Not only are Republicans winning; conservative Republicans are winning. The kind who reject the domestic Republican policies practiced by George W. Bush, Dennis Hastert and Bill Frist.

But please, tell us how Tuesday's Republican clean sweep of the most important races means nothing. Attempt to distract us with (*snicker*) how the GOP is destroying itself as it kicks Democrats' asses on Tuesday

Sure, it means something. It's been clear for awhile that there's a paleoconservative resurgence. Duh. Whether those positions will sell well to the country at large is another matter. I for one find it difficult to reconcile Hoffman's "reign in government spending" stance with his "when a general says he needs more troops, you give them to him immediately" stance. Don't fool yourself. Hoffman, like so many other "fiscal conservatives", will fold when it comes time to actually pick specific things to cut.

FishingWithFredo: Really? That right?

Yeah. That's right. The RNC was against Hoffman until their original candidate, the one who now supports Owens, dropped out.

So the RNC supported the candidate who is more like a dem and rejected the conservative until the original repub dropped out.

FishingWithFredo: This is hilarious.

The marched-out talking point from the Obama Administration and the DNC is currently that Hoffman's victory is bad for the GOP, is a rebuke of the GOP.

It's utter horseshiat.

The local party put up a bad candidate, an intolerable candidate for the majority of REPUBLICANS there.

Hoffman runs on what are supposed to be REPUBLICAN principles.

He is embraced by REPUBLICANS and the national REPUBLICAN Party.

Scozzafava slinks away and urges her supporters to endorse the Democrat. (Hmm... that doesn't sound very REPUBLICAN.)

Hoffman in Congress will be one of the most reliable REPUBLICAN votes in the chamber.


It's so transparent what this is about. There's about to be a referendum on where Obama and Pelosi are attempting to take the country. And Republicans are about win the governorships of Virginia (carried by Obama last November) and New Jersey (where the incumbent is a Democrat and where Obama's been in a panic campaigning). And the New York 23rd doesn't exactly sound like a victory for Obamism, either.

Not only are Republicans winning; conservative Republicans are winning. The kind who reject the domestic Republican policies practiced by George W. Bush, Dennis Hastert and Bill Frist.

But please, tell us how Tuesday's Republican clean sweep of the most important races means nothing. Attempt to distract us with (*snicker*) how the GOP is destroying itself as it kicks Democrats' asses on Tuesday.

Spin, Obamites! Spin!!

Deja Vu. I heard the exact same thing on Hannity's radio show re-run this weekend!

I Said: So what free market practices does he wish to introduce to NY-23? Do you have any idea, or does a conservative simply screaming "FREE MARKET" mean he's got a plan for implementing free market ideals in an area where he sees too much government control?

What's more, much of NY-23's employment comes from the local military base. The district depends on the earmarks Hoffman says he won't request far more than many other districts.

Of course, given that Hoffman decried questions from the local newspaper about concerns actually related to the district as "parochial", it's not surprising that he believes far more in upholding his ultra-conservative principles than representing the people who voted for him.

Resin33: FDeja Vu. I heard the exact same thing on Hannity's radio show re-run this weekend!

Every republican among my friends and family: "Why do you watch Fox News if you hate it so much?"
Me: "It's nice to know EXACTLY what you're going to tell me before I talk to you about this stuff"

McKain represents the Modern Whig Party, whose views emphasize energy independence, fiscal responsibility, state sovereignty, proper veteran's assistance, Constitutional values and scientific advancement.

As a student of right wing new speak this means, drill baby drill, no more paying taxes, dismantle the U.N. and any treaty we've ever signed, Juntas are really efficient forms of governance, repeal the 14th amendment, and creationism.

Two things.

First of all, people trying to say that a Hoffman victory is good in that it will bring an independent voice to Congress are full of crap. This guy ran because the GOP nominee didn't wholeheartedly support the platform of the national party. Scozzafava would have been by far the more independent voice. In Congress Hoffman will caucus with the GOP and will undoubtedly be one of the more partisan voices in that body.

Second, read up on the Modern Whig platform. They are not a tea-bagger party. From what I can tell they are a genuinely moderate-conservative on fiscal issues and moderate-liberal on social issues. As in, they could be the actual rational conservative opposition party that most everyone on Fark agrees our system needs to function properly. I'm excited to see how this McKain guy does.

I Said: Every republican among my friends and family: "Why do you watch Fox News if you hate it so much?"
Me: "It's nice to know EXACTLY what you're going to tell me before I talk to you about this stuff"

This is precisely correct. I'm a fairly thoughtful person and I'm thrown off base by people making wild claims when I don't have the facts onhand to rebuke them. Keeping a finger on FOX's pulse is useful to give you some points to research for keeping ahead of the wingnuts. It's exactly like a stupidity vaccine.

FishingWithFredo: This is hilarious.

The marched-out talking point from the Obama Administration and the DNC is currently that Hoffman's victory is bad for the GOP, is a rebuke of the GOP.

It's utter horseshiat.

The local party put up a bad candidate, an intolerable candidate for the majority of REPUBLICANS there.

Hoffman runs on what are supposed to be REPUBLICAN principles.

He is embraced by REPUBLICANS and the national REPUBLICAN Party.

Scozzafava slinks away and urges her supporters to endorse the Democrat. (Hmm... that doesn't sound very REPUBLICAN.)

Hoffman in Congress will be one of the most reliable REPUBLICAN votes in the chamber.


It's so transparent what this is about. There's about to be a referendum on where Obama and Pelosi are attempting to take the country. And Republicans are about win the governorships of Virginia (carried by Obama last November) and New Jersey (where the incumbent is a Democrat and where Obama's been in a panic campaigning). And the New York 23rd doesn't exactly sound like a victory for Obamism, either.

Not only are Republicans winning; conservative Republicans are winning. The kind who reject the domestic Republican policies practiced by George W. Bush, Dennis Hastert and Bill Frist.

But please, tell us how Tuesday's Republican clean sweep of the most important races means nothing. Attempt to distract us with (*snicker*) how the GOP is destroying itself as it kicks Democrats' asses on Tuesday.

Spin, Obamites! Spin!!

LOLZZZZZ

Some mavericky types bankrolled a carpetbagger with a pre-fab empty campaign message and shiat all over the national party's chosen candidate. He'll last one election cycle, if he doesn't just quit mid-term.

Now the national GOP has to play catch-up kiss his ass to make it look like they planned this.

I Said: Resin33: FDeja Vu. I heard the exact same thing on Hannity's radio show re-run this weekend!

Every republican among my friends and family: "Why do you watch Fox News if you hate it so much?"
Me: "It's nice to know EXACTLY what you're going to tell me before I talk to you about this stuff"

Blow me. I don't listen to or watch Sean Hannity.

But what a shocker, Farklibs failing to discuss the merits or substance of the point, but instead focusing on the source. Never seen that one before.

Tell me about how all those folks in New Jersey and Virginia and NY-23 are on Tuesday going to show their satisfaction with where Obama's trying to take the country. Let's hear it.

HotWingConspiracy: Some mavericky types bankrolled a carpetbagger with a pre-fab empty campaign message and shiat all over the national party's chosen candidate. He'll last one election cycle, if he doesn't just quit mid-term.

Now the national GOP has to play catch-up kiss his ass to make it look like they planned this.

My understanding was that national Republicans by and large have endorsed Hoffman (including RNC chairman Steele if I'm not mistaken). Scozzafava was endorsed by the New York Republican Party (which is considerably more liberal than the national party) which is why she gets the GOP line on the ballot. Honestly I think it would be interesting to see what happened if a state GOP told the national party to fark off, since the national party essentially campaigned against their own candidate. It looks like the views of the New York GOP aren't consistent anymore with the national GOP. If the Republican Party is going to fall apart, a fast way to do it would be to see entire state parties splintering off and going their own way.

FishingWithFredo: Blow me. I don't listen to or watch Sean Hannity.

Sooo you're response is to ask for fellatio? Keep it classy.

But what a shocker, Farklibs failing to discuss the merits or substance of the point, but instead focusing on the source. Never seen that one before.

Sooo you ARE going to address my point about the RNC? In the comment I posted directly to you? Or are you just here to piss and moan?

Tell me about how all those folks in New Jersey and Virginia and NY-23 are on Tuesday going to show their satisfaction with where Obama's trying to take the country. Let's hear it.

Ah. Just here to piss and moan.

FishingWithFredo: Tell me about how all those folks in New Jersey and Virginia and NY-23 are on Tuesday going to show their satisfaction with where Obama's trying to take the country. Let's hear it.

You're begging the question. Also known as assuming the initial conditions. There's no reason to assume these local elections have shiat to do with Obama or national politics.

FishingWithFredo: This is hilarious.

What, you reaching too hard? I agree!

3/10. You'll get some bites, at least.

Nate57Dawg: HotWingConspiracy: Some mavericky types bankrolled a carpetbagger with a pre-fab empty campaign message and shiat all over the national party's chosen candidate. He'll last one election cycle, if he doesn't just quit mid-term.

Now the national GOP has to play catch-up kiss his ass to make it look like they planned this.

My understanding was that national Republicans by and large have endorsed Hoffman (including RNC chairman Steele if I'm not mistaken).

Nope. Again, maybe they are doing it now, but he dutifully supported her, as did Newt, as did Boehner, etc.

Most of Hoffman's support came from Palin types.


Scozzafava was endorsed by the New York Republican Party (which is considerably more liberal than the national party) which is why she gets the GOP line on the ballot.

They nominated her because she could have won. Hoffman is flash in the pan nonsense aided by a glut of cash he would have never gotten his hands on in any normal circumstances. He won't be sticking around.

FishingWithFredo:
Tell me about how all those folks in New Jersey and Virginia and NY-23 are on Tuesday going to show their satisfaction with where Obama's trying to take the country. Let's hear it.

Both the NJ and NY-23 electorate have approval ratings of Obama well over 50%. I hate to break it to you, but not every local election is a referendum on national politics. In fact, very few of them are. But don't let that stop your day in the sun tomorrow. It'll be one of very few in the next few years.

wow, I like this guy and the party in theory. I just visited the MWP website and from what I read (only a cursory glance for now) I like it. I think I've been there before though, but I cannot completely remember. Maybe they can shove the Reps over to the right and nestle in the middle.

From the Modern Whig Party website:

Gay Rights

Each state can determine the extended rights of homosexuals based on their own local values. We do, however, support classifying as a federal hate crime attacks on people based on their perceived sexual orientation. In essence, the sexual orientation of the guy down the street has no bearing on anybody else's life.

I don't like the idea of states given the power to determine who gets access to Civil Rights, but I like the hate crime and MYOB bit.