Thursday, May 31, 2007

The Bloomberg Story

The continuing stories about a possible independent presidential candidacy by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg prompted Jackie Salit to brief all of you on Mike’s history with independent voters and the independent political movement. The media assumes that if Mike decides to seek the presidency that he will automatically have the support of independents. Jackie's view is that nothing is automatic. Even a billionaire has to prove himself to independents. For the short term independents have to put the pressure on would-be independent presidential candidates so we can be clear on the records of those who might want to use our independent movement on a road to the White House. Use the link to read her article.

I was part of Bloomberg's campaigns. I worked the East Side of Manhattan to get signatures so he could get on the Independence Party's Ballot line, Column "C". Mike called me and thanked me for the effort.

Michael H. Drucker
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Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Grassroots 2.0

I just read this blog post and found I was going to post about this subject today. Here in NY we do Grassroots 1.0 and hope to grow this year to 2.0. We do alot of one-on-one: I go door knocking each summer to get partitions signed, I hand deliver hand-written letters about issues and actions to take, we have monthly "Politics for the People" classes to discuss issues, I work the street with candidates to press-the-flesh.

As a IT Executive with 40+ years of international experience I can put together a 2.0 cookbook. But will I be able to make that contact (press-the-flesh) work the same as 1.0? After watching the current candidates' web sites and how they have started using multimedia, I think we can.

I am redesigning two sites: www.ipnyc.org and www.neoindependent.com and hope I bring them forward to a 2.0 world.

Michael H. Drucker
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Monday, May 28, 2007

Why select "decline to state" or independent as your political party registration?

Use the link to read why some California voters feel it is time for a change in the political process. California independents vote "issues and people, not a party"...

Michael H. Drucker
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Saturday, May 26, 2007

TALK/TALK

Every Sunday, Choosing an Independent President Process Political Coordinator Jacqueline Salit and strategist and philosopher Fred Newman watch the political talk shows and discuss them. Click the link to read their dialogue after watching "The Chris Matthews Show", "Meet the Press" and "The McLaughlin Group".

Michael H. Drucker
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Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Bloomberg Across America

The more Mayor Bloomberg denies he’s running for president, the more he acts the part. Over the past year, our very private mayor has made very public trips to fifteen states, with a combined 284 electorial votes, more than the 270 needed to win the White House. Coincedence? He won't run unless he thinks he can win or at least make a big difference by forcing the other candidates to offer substantive solutions to big problems, including health care, global warming and poverty. Could Bloomberg actually win the election? Probably not. But he could capture a few states -- perhaps New York, California or New Jersey. That would be enough to deny the other candidates an Electoral College majority, throwing the election into the House of Representatives. Which party would he hurt the most? That largely depends on who the other candidates are, but the answer is probably both as he pulls independents and moderates in each party. Use the link to see which 15 states.

Michael H. Drucker
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Friday, May 18, 2007

Structual Political Reform

For my NY readers, please support S29 and A575, bills that would reduce by half the number of signatures an independent would need to get on the ballot.

The IP's mission statement is one which I strongly endorse, and a key provision is to reform NYS government, and encourage competition in the electoral process. I am of the opinion, that if our legislators do not support S29 and A575, that we should not support them; I would hope that the IP leadership and IP activists would agree that failure to support this legislation is a litmus test for future support. Why support candidates who do not support 'the mission'.

I also hope that you contact your state Senator and Representative to encourage them to reach out to all of the legislators to supprt these bills.

Contact Senate

Contact Assembly

Michael H. Drucker
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Wednesday, May 9, 2007

2008 First Debate Watch Results

I took part in the two Debate Watch parties. There was about 30 independents each night. After the debate we discussed each candidate and took the survey. Use the link to see the results from 800 independents in 28 states.

Michael H. Drucker
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