tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21959228.post2223357844682563973..comments2024-03-28T09:14:52.110+00:00Comments on Sinclair's Musings: The Liberal DemocratsMatthew Sinclairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05948452770723874618noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21959228.post-62545750536377449672007-05-16T17:56:00.000+01:002007-05-16T17:56:00.000+01:00I agree that the Lib-Dems are in a tricky situatio...I agree that the Lib-Dems are in a tricky situation and so, if they have to choose between backing Labour and the Tories come a hung parliament, it could split the party.<BR/><BR/>Regarding US politics, because a presidential contest is between _candidates_ rather than parties, i think it is more likely that a 'third party' or independent candidate could make an impact. I think they could - if they were an attractive personality and managed to appeal to both left and right - be able to outpoll dull candidates from major parties. For example, I would guess [and obviously, being a counter-factual it can only be a guess] that if Eisenhower had stood as an independent against a dull Republican and a dull (and left-wing) Democrat in 1952 he could still have won.Vino Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00921732973648819318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21959228.post-83974340050647951862007-05-16T09:32:00.000+01:002007-05-16T09:32:00.000+01:00I agree with you- I wrote that article quickly but...I agree with you- I wrote that article quickly but there is a danger in the Lib Dems getting what they want. Having said that if they could alter the major parties policies say force Brown to withdraw from Iraq by joining with him it could work but I foresee all sorts of dangers for them.<BR/><BR/>In the states- absolutely, even Theodore Roosevelt more plausible as a presidential candidate than anyone running at the moment- he had afterall already done the job- failed to succeed as a third party candidate- I think teh only consequence of him standing and no doubt Edmund can correct me was to make Woodrow Wilson the Democratic candidate president as opposed to William Taft the Republican.Gracchihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06344262838391424797noreply@blogger.com