Does the U.S. need a new independent party?

The Associated Press

Sen. Chuck Hagel wants to declare independence from party politics.

Featured Topic | Posted 36 weeks 4 days ago

Does the U.S. need a new independent party?

U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., suggests that the United States needs independent leadership and possibly another political party. "In the current impasse, an independent candidate for the presidency, or a bipartisan unity ticket ... could be appealing to Americans," Hagel writes in his new book, "America: Our Next Chapter," due in stores next week.

Is Hagel right? Does America need a viable, independent alternative to the Democratic and Republican parties?

Ben likes: Should we expect a third party candidate?

Jay Cost/HorseRaceBlog

A third party can sustain itself if it has a geographical base to work with because our elections are geographically based. So, it can win some states and develop some viability in that way. Barring that, it needs some kind of big personality to drive the campaign, to use media attention to reach its group of potential supporters, who are dispersed across the country. Without such a personality, the party lacks the resources to communicate its message -- and it goes nowhere.

Joel likes: Independence needed, not new party

Alan Stewart Carl/Donklephant

Whether or not we need a third party is one of those questions that shows up every election cycle. The general perception is that, if neither the Dems or Repubs are offering intelligent policies, then a third party could. Unfortunately, a third party would still be a party – meaning even if it’s more “centrist” than the current parties, it’ll quickly succumb to the same internal power games and distasteful compromises that afflict our blue and red friends.

What we need, I think, is not a new party but a revitalized commitment to independence within the two major parties.