A Nation of Free Agents

Meanwhile, the parties are spending millions on the latest fads, such as "micro-targeting" to divine voting behavior from auto purchases. But technology cuts both ways: More than ever, voters have the technological resources to consider their political choices more deeply and to seek out new alternatives to those provided by the conventional media and the two parties.

Also, would-be candidates can raise money more easily. The Internet revolution permits geographically separated free agents to find new allies -- Democrat Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign was just the beginning. Getting on the ballot has always been a challenge for independents; now it's much easier, via the Web, to find voters to sign ballot-access petitions.

Another signal that the potential for a system shakeup is serious: The smart people in both parties are seeking to profit from it. Strategists behind the polarizing presidential elections of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have co-founded an Internet startup, HotSoup.com, that aims to harness the anxiety in the electorate. A flash movie on its Web site poses these questions: "Why don't leaders lead anymore?" and "Does anyone care about my opinion?"

Co-founder Mark McKinnon, Bush's media adviser, told the Los Angeles Times that "there's a real appetite out there for less partisanship . . . for less screaming and yelling." Which is much the way Lieberman summed up his appeal as he began the second half of his race against Ned Lamont: "People are fed up with the petty partisanship and angry bickering in Washington. It is continually blocking progress on major problems and wasting America's greatness."

He may be on to something.

mambinder@nationaljournal.com

Marc Ambinder is associate editor of the Hotline.