The Minneapolis Star Tribune runs an editorial reflecting on the 2008 elections in Minnesota and nationwide, including some reflections on the state’s Independence Party. The newspaper writes, “After another round of weak showings and indistinct messages by its candidates, the IP’s reason for existence is no longer clear. What is clear is that IP candidates were spoilers this year, contributing to the election of candidates who lacked majority support in several key races. David Dillon, the party’s Third District congressional candidate who won 11 percent of the vote, hit the right note Wednesday. ‘It’s a legitimate, fair question. I t bugs some people in the Independence Party that we have to wonder what our purpose is if all we’re doing is ruining the results for one side.’”
2 responses so far ↓
1 Jeremy Young // Nov 10, 2008 at 3:49 am
This is utterly ridiculous. If there’s any third party in the country that doesn’t need to defend its existence, it’s the Minnesota Independence Party. Just like the Vermont Progressives, the MIP exists to win elections — a goal that this year’s showing by Barkley demonstrates is extremely realistic.
Sheesh.
2 Sivarticus // Nov 10, 2008 at 8:36 am
What a bunch of garbage. The Dems are always the worst crybabies over third parties, and even the IP which isn’t even that ideologically close to them is no exception. I’d say the party had a pretty good year. True, no one was elected to Federal office, but Barkley and multiple House candidates made double digit showings. The day isn’t too far off when someone from the IPMN finally will make it through, and then I guess the Democrats will really bawl their eyes out for taking their House, Senate, or Gubernatorial seat away from them.
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