Ever got started (and gained substantial ground) it would be targeted by the media so fast it wouldn't be funny. Americans are too stupid to handle anything past 2 parties and voting every 4 years. And the videos they would pull out of context especially from Cenk would be a mace to the head.

I actually wouldn’t mind anyone trying with the name progressive for a party, I would say support the socialist parties in America but Americans are reactionary to that word.

by Alloy on 03/18/2010 07:23:51 PM EST

I love Cenk.  I listen to him every day that I can.  I subscribe to his show.  I want him to have a much bigger audience, and I'm willing to help him to achieve that.  I like most of his views on the issues, and I agree with him much more often than I don't.  I think he's an important voice.  What's more, I respect him, and I would like to be his friend.

But if we do develop a viable progressive party, I don't want it to be based on one person.  I am uninterested in a cult of personality.  Besides, I don't think Cenk is the person for the job: I don't think he's abandoned his preference for free trade over fair trade, which, for me, is one of the mandatory qualifications for being considered progressive.

And, finally, I'm not sure Cenk is qualified to manage the political relationships involved in pulling together progressives.  They're complex relationships.  A lot of so-called "progressives" are very weak-kneed.  Others are simply completely unskilled politicians.

A progressive party might need a strong central figure, a leader.  But progressives need education before an Progressive Party will do them any good.  They need to learn how to get what they want, and right now there is absolutely no issue on which they are willing to fight for what they want.

Until they're willing to fight, a Progressive Party will be nothing but an embarrassment, and a waste of time.

by EveningStarNM on 03/18/2010 07:35:49 PM EST

Being a TYT Colonel, I've already sent Cenk hundreds of dollars.

That said, I don't think he can use (tainted) European money in a campaign...

I do want to encourage Cenk to get more influence, whether in media or politics, because he's obviously the most reasonable person in America.

by Sorenzo on 03/18/2010 07:39:50 PM EST

I don't know if Cenk should be the head of a progressive party, but I certainly think he could be one of the founders. We would probably need someone well known in the established media to accomplish such a task, like a Howard Dean, or Bernie Sanders. No matter what we do, the media would go ballistic about a new party trying to attack the establishment, but that shouldn't stop us. I think the msnbc night crew would give us positive exposure, and we could use that as leverage against the other media outlets.

by UncleBadTouch on 03/18/2010 07:51:47 PM EST

I've been thinking about third party strategies lately.  I think the only way to succeed is to broadcast loud and clear how the two-party monopoly subjugates issues to electoral strategy and party unity.  This message needs to be embedded in the very name of the party.

Something like:

Up-or-Down Vote party
Free Choice party
Issues-First party
Free Speech party

Then just message over and over again "Let's agree to disagree", explaining that we are held hostage by two choices when there are so many more positions to take.

This party doesn't take a stance on particular issues, but it takes a stand on how issues are discussed - it raises money for candidates that agree to recognize the validity of facts, of logical arguments, of admitting when you're wrong about something, and respecting the variety of opinions and beliefs that flourish in America and that recognize the validity of evidence and reason.

by dotkommissar on 03/18/2010 09:08:12 PM EST

If you give Cenk money to start a party, please make him sign a pledge. Then when he violates the pledge, please whine and cry and complain and demand with red-faced anger that he return the money.

Read My Lips.....

If you do give Cenk the money, please make him sign this statement:  I hereby concede that Ronald Reagan was an idiot and did tremendous damage to the United States, and I was wrong to pretend that I supported him

David

by yturks on 03/18/2010 09:41:35 PM EST

so far, one maybe out of eight responses.

somewhat problematic if that's a representative respons e from even the 'tyt army'. 

oh well.



 

by spigzone on 03/18/2010 11:45:50 PM EST

I see Cenk more as a political and messaging guru than an administrative guy.

Cenk can put together a strong political platform and a strong message for progressives to run and win on. I think he is much better than Howard Dean

As for starting a progressive party, thats more the job of the fundraising people. People like PCCC, ActBlue, etc need to commit to only finance progressive party members. I think thats the best way to create the party.

by Young Turk 87 on 03/19/2010 09:35:16 AM EST

of coooooooooooooooooooooooooo ourse!!!!!!!!

 

Kinda thought I'd see more people posting in the affirmative on this though...

by Rockulus on 03/19/2010 04:17:11 PM EST