(The following was posted on the Massachusetts Politics Blog.)
In January of this year, Falchuk founded the United Independent Party in Massachusetts. A press release describes the party as committed “to moving from ‘small government versus big government’ debate between Democrats and Republicans to one focused on greater accountability to voters, stronger protection of social freedoms, and more innovative, fiscally pragmatic solutions that improve the day-to-day lives of individuals, families and communities.”
The party stands for “socially progressive ideas and fiscally sensible solutions for Massachusetts.” This is a “pragmatic combination” that neither Democrats nor Republicans offer the voters, Falchuk believes.
If you go to the party’s web site — http://www.unitedindependent.org/our-leadership — you’ll see that Falchuk credits his late grandfather, Solomon Falchuk, with inspiring his willingness to challenge the status quo.
Nevertheless, I bet a party called independent will get a bunch of people checking off its box thinking that it means unenrolled, though not as many as in some other states where the form makes it more confusing.
Not Massachusetts. The two parties have their names on the form. For all other Political Designations (minor parties) you must check a box and write the name of the party. The box for Unenrolled voters comes first. There was an MA state law forbidding Parties and Designations to include in their name the word “Independent”; I am not sure where it went. “Write the Party” name means you have just advertised that you are a prospective activist who has crossed the first line: You can spell our party name.
Paulie writes: “I would think independents are candidates running with no party affiliation at all.
That is the way it — USED to be and still is in most states, however a few state like Oregon and apparently Massachusetts, have changed the designation to “Non-Affiliated Voter”. THIS little trick has created a rash of new parties with the word “independent” in them.
The PROBLEM is that new voters coming in from other states or even local residents who have not be registered for some time will check the box marked “Independent Party of Oregon, thinking that they are registering as independent (i.e. un-affiliated) voters.
This little ruse has expanded the Independent Party of Oregon until it is now the third largest political party in the state, replacing the Libertarian Party and the largest “minor party” in the state.
This may be occurring in other states, as well.
On his website, Falchuk writes; “Most of us now can predict what a Democratic or Republican politician’s position on a subject will be simply based on whether they have a “D” or an “R” next to their name.”
Isn’t THAT what political parties are SUPPOSED to provide. The problem is when candidates
DON’T follow the program of their respective parties, presuming (falsely) that those parties actually HAVE a coherent political program. How is a new party (which itself doesn’t have a consistent coherent political program offer a viable alternative.
> “At a time when we face serious problems and challenges, we need better..” <
We HAVE better! Even a sleepwalker could find them, if he REALLY wanted to find one. This NEW political party is simply an exercise in ego inflation.
I don’t think we need any new categories. If anything there are already too many. Non left right sounds right.
Yeah, this should probably be under non-left/right parties. At least, I think. Perhaps there should be a new category for New Parties, as they’re often difficult to classify. Just a thought.
Many mainstream media reporters will call any candidate who is not a D/R-oid an “independent,” and that goes double for parties with Independent as part of their name.
I had no idea. I know when I’ve read other articles about Falchuk’s campaign, they said he was an Independent. I wasn’t sure how to handle it.
Should this be categorized under independents? I know Independent is part of the name of the party, but the headline refers to a party. I would think independents are candidates running with no party affiliation at all.
I do wonder if this party will continue to exist after the election, or if this is just a one-time vehicle for Falchuk’s campaign. I’m guessing the latter.