Category: Independence Party

by Dave Mindeman

I note with interest that the Independence Party is not going to be promoting a Senate candidate next year against Amy Klobuchar.

Instead....

(IP Chair Mark) Jenkins says the party will instead focus its limited resources on trying to win legislative seats for the first time.

Finally...somebody is thinking over there.

The Ventura success of 1998 turned the Reform/Independence Party into a celebrity showcase party. They put all of their eggs into a statewide race basket and left legislative candidates to fend for themselves.

If they had utilized a two prong approach (statewide and local) to build a party base, then the IP would probably have a little more to show for these election cycles. As it stands now, their celebrity focus has led them to near extinction.

Jenkins early statement on an abandonment of the 2012 statewide Senate race is the first sensible approach that I have seen the IP make. It will be challenging, but a focus on legislative races in places where they may have an outside chance to win will be crucial to finally building a real party.

Now, there will be an IP Senate candidate. In Minnesota's open primary system, all anybody needs to do is come up with the filing fee and they can get a place on the ballot under the IP banner. And again, this is not a bad thing.

However, the temptation for rank and file members to give resources and time to the statewide race needs to be resisted. Strong local campaigns are key to making a respectable showing in 2012. And that will require a narrow focus of resources (money and volunteers) in areas where they can be competitive.

Personally, I have thought that an IP caucus in the legislature would be a good thing for the state. The idea of compromise could not be ignored in a closely divided legislature. IP members, even in small numbers, would force more substantive negotiations by all parties.

IP Party issues would fall more in line with Democrats than Republicans in my estimation. Which, I think, would lead to good alliances and force the Republicans and Democrats to moderate.

So, Mr. Jenkins, I may be an unlikely source of encouragement (as I am often accused of being "hyper partisan".... but an IP legislative win here or there could very well put a slight smile on my face.

So go for it, IP. A strategy that finally makes some political sense.

Category: Independence Party

by Dave Mindeman

I think it may be time for the Independence Party to find themselves a new leadership model. Dean Barkley has lost all credibility.

In his newest absurdity, he wants to invite the Tea Party crowd to join them. Not only that, he encourages them to take over the party entirely.

Mr. Barkley, earth is calling. You seem to be short a few satellites.

I have to confess that, at times, I have rooted a little bit for the Independence Party to succeed. I have been annoyed that, in the recent past, their existence has done little but assure Tim Pawlenty elections. However, their focus on the two party system gridlock was a valid argument to make. They just made it badly.

And now, even that is gone.

Barkley used to have pretty good political instincts. But in his desperation to reignite the "shock the world" temporary success of his celebrity candidate, Jesse Ventura, Barkley has dropped all pretense of long term party building, to again latch onto the politics of the moment.

The Tea Party crowd has gained a certain notoriety. But it is a temporary movement. It is a place that can gather all the anger and frustration that has besieged this country's economy. If you examine what they say closely, you will see no solutions offered. No new ideas. No policy changes. They are just an outlet for a frustrated populace that is getting impatient with a slow and painful economic recovery.

As economic conditions improve (and they will), the Tea Party influence will wane and settle back into the fringes of political society from whence they came.

If the Independence Party truly wants to latch onto this temporary phenomena, then that union will, most certainly, be the IP's final death knell.

I am not sure Barkley really speaks for the Party anymore. I think there are a few serious folks still willing to do the hard work. Barkley did spark the birth of the IP and he was necessary for it to get its first 15 minutes of fame.

But, if the IP is to continue to be a serious party entitiy, someone else will have to make that happen.

Dean Barkley has moved well beyond his political usefulness.