Logo of the Modern Whig Party
The recent elections of republicans Chris Christie in New Jersey and Bob MacDonnell in Virginia and of course the election of Scott Brown in Massachusetts seem to have shaken up the political landscape in a way not seen for some time. The reaction of the GOP has been predictable: they see it as a repudiation of the democrats and their chance to regain power. Business as usual, in other words. But there is another way to look at this.
In all three cases, a broader point is being ignored: the real winner was e: none of the above. In Massachusetts, the biggest political party is neither the GOP nor the democrats, despite their long history in the Bay State. It is independents, who represent 52% of registered voters. This is hardly a ringing endorsement for either existing party. But it is a political hole large enough to drive a truck through for a party that has as its basis common sense, a modest view of governmental authority and no ideological baggage. And it exists: the Modern Whig Party.
Despite their funny (and memorable!) name, the Whigs have a long history in American politics, and before that in England. Prior to the American Revolution, they counted among their ranks such patriots as George Washington, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. They formed as a party officially in 1833 to counter what they considered the hubris of Andrew Jackson, a strong advocate of central power in the Executive. They elected two Presidents and formed the political culture that nurtured Abraham Lincoln. The party essentially self-destructed in 1852 over slavery issues, but out of its ashes sprung, phoenix-like, the Republican Party, which is still with us (barely.)
So, why a Whig party for today? For one thing, the name. Let’s not kid ourselves; a catchy name is helpful in a crowded political marketplace. “Libertarian” sounds too much like “liberal”, and their ideology seems cranky and limited. “Democratic Socialist”? Come on, only in a quirky place like Vermont could a candidate from such a party get elected to the Senate. “The Green Party”? Once you get past the image of dirty hippies whining about the modern age there is not much left there either.
So, why not the Whigs? A common sense, middle of the road party with a catchy name and a noble political ancestry. Worth a try, isn’t it? Because our current system ain’t workin’.
Comments
George;
A good start. But from my perspective the only thing that would really shake up "business as usual" is taking big business money out of the equation. Until this happens there can be no forward progress toward making Washington work better for the people. Every corner of political thought is adversely affected. But that will never happen as it is becoming only more entrenched.
James, I am firmly of two minds on this. On the one hand, I thought that McCain-Feingold was probably unconstitutional, and today the supremes seemed to agree. And the supremes have already held that money equals speech, so the solution to speech you don't like is speech you agree with. But the prospect of the sheer volume of cash that is going to be sluicing through the system is scary too. So, either you distort the political "market" with more regulation, or you just grin and bear it and allow the political forces to contend. It is ugly either way.
George,
I loved your article. I too feel disillusioned with both parties but am somewhat stumped as to what a viable alternative would looke like. I cliked on the the modern whig party's website but was hungry for more details. Any suggestions?
The Supremes just shored up this ludicrous notion that a corporation has the same rights as an individual. Really! Sony Corp. with its billions and its army of lawyers is just like me? Biggest mistake in the history of jurisprudence that was. Now you can be sure that owners of companies, foreign and domestic, will buy influence outright. Office holders will become traded commodities. I couldn't believe it when I heard Gingrich say that this ruling means that anyone can run for office. "There will be more corporations out there to approach for support". Not if you are a candidate running on a platform that includes finance reform, investment sector reform, penalties to polluters, cracking down on predatory business practices, really anything that protects the little guy. What corporation is going to get behind that?
George;
I know the Supremes said that money equals free speech. I heartily disagree with that notion. Free speech requires no payment. All this private money just creates boutique candidates; not genuine individual visionary thinkers. The Supremes have dealt the death blow to that.
George;
I doubt that any party other than the party of big government will get anywhere now. The Supreme Court's ruling heavily favors the Republican Party. Your new Whigs don't stand a chance. With this 5-4 ruling, the gates are opened for Exxon to spend unlimited sums in elections to defeat those candidates who support reducing our use of oil and gas. Goldman Sachs and Citigroup can now spend unlimited amounts to defeat anyone in Congress who would see the super-banks regulated. AIG is free to spend unlimited amounts to unseat any Senator who tries to stop the use of federal bailout money for big bonuses. Halliburton can pour its funds into efforts to oppose any member of Congress who calls for a cut in our defense budget or for more peace and less war.
@ james - "Free speech requires no payment." Really? I can get on a soapbox in downtown raleigh and speak all day without my "Speech" mattering at all. To be heard, speech needs a megaphone. And the media provide that megaphone. And they do not give it away. It costs a lot of money to "speak" these days.
Now, I share to some extent your unease about the flood gates of money about to flow into politics. But how much more can there be? There is already a huge amount of cash sloshing around; but the jerry-rigged campaign finance laws served not so much to regulate as to distort.
Sir, your link doesnt work. Type modern whig dot org. Everything else is SPOT ON!!!
@ gene - link is now working. thanks for pointing that out.
Their are several things you should look for in a new party. 1. solve the ideology hypocracy 2. way of getting off the money train 3. healthy democratic philosophy. THe modern Whigs have all three, but they are very small. Its going to take time for them to become a threat to the big two. Hope they do we could use em'.
@ "an observer". True dat. But ya gotta start somewhere. And I like the thought of the Whigs, supplanted by the GOP supplanting them in turn.
Florida Whig Congressional Candidate John Annarumma will be on 97.3 fm on Thursday 2/4/10 from 4 pm to 4:30 pm. The broadcast is available online if you want to listen online. (links not allowed here)
Paul Truesdell, Chairman
Florida Whig Party
The Modern Whig Party was started by the Democrats to hurt the Republicans. Why do you think that every-time you see an article about the Republicans having problems they describe what they are going through as "Going the way of the Whigs" do a google search on that and see what I am saying.
The Modern Whig Party was founded on nothing but lies by a Democrat attorney who works for John B. Anderson in DC.
I thought Florida was doing the same thing until they started running candidates against Republicans and then distanced themselves from the Modern Whig Party after they were getting attacked by the Modern Whig Party for running candidates against Democrats in Florida..
Wow Richard W, how far off can one person be? The MWP was an idea created by solders fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The party was then organized in 2007 by military vets who seved in these countries. The party was created with the dissatisfaction between both the right and the left. It's closer to a centrist movement thats wants to hold true to the ideas of our founding fathers, however, recognize much of our new modern ways as well.
The ruling does not just help the Republicans but helps the Democrats as much if not more. Remember it also gives Unions the right to spend as much as they please, and Unions are political entities whereas corporations are not. And believe it or not, corporations are not that fond of giving their money away to play "political games" when they have plenty of hearty competition to deal with.
That's funny Geoff. You responded and have no idea of what your talking about. Mike Lebowitz is the Democrat and Obama supporter and the first Chairman of the Modern Whig Party who does work for John B. Andersen's law-firm.
Do your research!
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