by Jack Uldrich and Jim Moore
http://www.independenceminnesota.org
The Independence Party definitively differentiates itself from the two entrenched political parties.
At its State Party Convention in Brooklyn Park, MN, Independence Party delegates overwhelmingly reaffirmed the party’s ban on accepting special interest money (PAC money) and eliminated cross-endorsement of candidates representing other political parties. State Party Chair Jack Uldrich said “Today’s actions clarify and amplify the fact that the Independence Party is the only true reform party.”
While the ban on accepting special interest money has been a core tenant of the party since its inception in 1992, Governor Pawlenty’s elimination of the popular Political Contribution Refund (PCR) program forced delegates to confront the prospect that all future candidates will now be allowed to accept special interest money. In response, they voted overwhelmingly to “double down” and ban all special interes contributions…period.
“Today’s political system sucks and special interest money lies at the heart of so many problems,” said Uldrich, adding “Not accepting PAC money won’t make our job of electing candidates any easier but it is the right thing to do. Unlike every other political party, the Independence Party is going to live – or die – on principle.”
Additionally, delegates voted to eliminate the party’s short lived experiment in crossendorsement that began in 2008. “Our delegates feel that offering endorsement support to candidates of the parties that brought us this systemic mess diluted our message” stated Jack Uldrich, Independence Party Chair “All levels of government are in need of massive reform that can only be provided by centrist candidates without special interest strings attached as opposed to puppets of the status quo.” Added Uldrich, “If other political candidates want our endorsement, they are welcome to have it but they are going to have to leave their current party to get it.”
Who is talking about this story:
Political Pulse
MinnPost
It’s really sad if you hear that kind of news… That is why, as a concern citizen we need to exercise our rights to choose and vote for the right person…
woops! my bad
Independence Party of Minnesota
It’s about time that they started to stop cross-endorsing. Hopefully other NY third parties do the same.
LOL. I took the news as being a report on their convention.
Well…
I appreciate this post.
But, I think it has to be said…
Is it news that “The System Sucks” and so do the Democratic and Republican leaders??????
I know Jesse Ventura was fairly libertarian. I’m curious to hear how libertarian the Independence Party is. For instance are you guys just against *taking* special interest money, or are you seeking to address the *cause* of it — namely government that is too big and powerful and has too many favors to give out, which attracts special interest lobbyists like honey attracts flies?
Do you have a plan to keep your party from succumbing over time to the temptation to pander to the voters in order to get people elected? The Libertarian Party is in crisis right now because of a gradual long-term trend away from ideology that I attribute in large part to too much emphasis on winning elections. This has led to some members wanting to downplay the party’s principle and ideas, and do what it takes to win.