Peggy Noonan’s column suggesting that now is the time for a viable third political party is making the rounds. While I agree with Noonan, and Stegall and Dreher, I wonder if we can do it right this time. Even if a third party candidate could take the White House in 2008, I’m not sure that person could be an effective leader. The Congress will controlled by one of the main parties, and while the President could expect some cooperation on shared issues, how could any major policy shift (especially in a direction that is not distinctly Red or Blue) be pushed through? A proper, grassroots populist movement should start locally and grow organically. Perhaps in five or ten years, a handful of third party politicians could be voted into Congress. Yes, a third party President could shake up the establishment, but could that President actually accomplish anything?

Posted on 2 June 2006