A few days ago IPR reported on Rob Hahn, an Independence Party gubernatorial candidate, choosing his running mate, Thomas Harens. We reported that Harens was a former DFL legislator in Minnesota, but new party-affiliations have emerged too.
Harens served one term in the Legislature in 1982, when he was 25, and ran for president in 2004 on the Christian Freedom Party ticket, getting about 2,400 votes in Minnesota. Hahn says that campaign was in protest of right-wing abuse of religious issues.
Harens also ran for mayor in St. Paul in 1997 with the Reform Party.
That means that since 1982 Harens has been a DFL member, a Reform Party member, a founder of the Christian Freedom Party, and now a Lt. Governor candidate for the Independence Party’s nomination.
I also haven’t seen Thomas for a couple years since we broke up but I was shocked at his closed-mindedness when it came to politics. It’s his way or the highway and didn’t really want to listen to my opinions or questions that may make him think about the thoughts others who didn’t think just like him may ponder. It’s time for leadership who can appreciate both sides of the tracks, so to speak. Calling himself an independent gives the idea that he doesn’t side with the traditional left or right….and that’s just wrong.
Although I haven’t seen Tom Harens in many years, he is – as Sid Hartman might say – a close personal friend of mine. A great guy with the highest integrity, a philisophical mind, and the very best of intentions. My wife is still upset he was late for our wedding (he was an usher), but who’s perfect? Look me up some time, Tom!
Thomas Harens’ multiple-party affiliations is hardly a conflict of interest in terms of him being an independent candidate. I would think that his varied history constitutes the very embodiment of “independent.” He obviously thinks for himself and embraces fresh ideas. Good for Harens for responding to the public’s disgust with the do-nothing Republicans and Democrats and trying to represent those of us who are looking for real reform. I am tired of politicians who vote straight party lines; I’d prefer that they consider the issues and vote their conscience as well as representing their constituents, who of course have various political affiliations. The time has come for a viable third party to enter the mainstream political scene. Independent candidates can be the voice of the vast majority of voters who are tired of mindless partisanship. Voters need to rise up and demand that candidates vote responsibly and stop the partisan politics. The only way we are going to break the gridlock that has characterized local and national politics in the last few years is to move toward a three-party system. The independent party has a real chance to revitalize itself and become a true force in local and national politics this election cycle. I hope people will give the IP candidates a fair look this summer before the primaries. The status quo doesn’t cut it anymore. We need change and we need it now.
well NMIP and his ‘broad brush’ is not exactly ‘pointillism’ and leaves out LOTS of details.
If IP and RfP are the same why was IPNY Frank MacKay observed handing RfPCa John ‘Bible Beater’ Bambey a $500 check in Sacramento ???????????
A few weeks later Mister MacKay was declared the anointed, er, ah, em appointed ‘CEO’ of the national RfP USA, a non existence position!
And there is always the (now) GOP moles of the (once more open minded, Jesse Ventura cabal) American Reform Party (c 1995 ???) and the ‘Action Group’ right of center, but not GOP, of the RfP USA ……….
You missed the Green Party – he attempted to run for U.S. Senate with them in 2008.
As a side note: The Reform Party and the Independence Party are the same entity (in MN and as noted here) – the party was founded in 1992 as the Independence Party – in ’96 it affiliated with the Reform Party and changed it’s name – then when Buchannan took charge of the national party in 2000 the MN Reform Party “disaffiliated” and returned to Independence Party.
Seems to be quite a lot of third party activity in Minnesota.