'Unity '08' Seeks Third Party Path

Doug Bailey , a member of the Unity '08 Founders Council, was online Tuesday, June 27, at noon ET to discuss the group's goal of a third party option in the 2008 presidential elections. Unity '08 is comprised of political consultants, both Democrat and Republican, who feel that neither party is providing adequate leadership for the country. The group hopes to put forth a presidential ticket with one candidate from each side of the partisan divide.

Bailey is also founder of The Hotline, a political newsletter, and former political media consultant to President Gerald Ford .

The transcript follows.

____________________

Harrisburg, Pa.: It is my understanding that you intend to put up two independent candidates to appeal to people disappointed in their respective parties. Does this mean you will promise to run a candidate from an unrepresented faction of both parties? For instance, it would not be fair should you nominate two similar candidates from one side and two diverse candidates from another side such that one side is disadvantaged.

Doug Bailey: the Unity08 online convention will nominate one R and one D, in whatever order for a Unity Ticket. they will run for the nomination as a team and they will be nominated by the convention as a team (just the way we vote for the two top slots with one vote in November). Independents may also run if they present a unity team that includes member of both parties.

_______________________

St. Mary's City, Md.: As an independent voter, I hope Unity can get some traction. My big concern is that one of the Big Two has been hijacked by religious conservatives who are using that party to push a reactionary agenda.

Do you see Unity as luring classic small-government conservatives away from the GOP? Or would Unity serve as a moderating influence on both parties, helping to marginalize the extremists?

Doug Bailey: Unity08 will draw on members of both the big parties who have been alienated by their leadership. We want everybody. We feel that only about 25% of the electorate is really satisfied with either of the two big parties.

_______________________

Houston, Tex.: Our Libertarian friends would argue that there's already a third party, and it's them. Are there any efforts to bring Libertarians into the Unity fold?

Doug Bailey: No one has to leave his/her party to join us at Unity08. Just come to Unity08.com and sign up. We want independents, Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, vegetarians et al.

_______________________

San Francisco, Calif.: Hi, and thanks for taking my question today, Mr. Bailey.

As John McCain moves to embrace the fundamentalist wing of the GOP, as well as the funders of Bush in 2000, isn't he leaving his "maverick outsider" label behind? Will UNITY08 find it easy to endorse a candidate whose principles seem a little, oh, slippery?

Doug Bailey: That will be up to the delegates at the convention, but maybe candidates who seem to adjust their values as they seek their party nominations won't look as attractive in 2008 as they did in 2006.

_______________________

Dallas, Tex.: What can be done in a seriously organized way to deal with Rush Limbaugh who in my opinion is one of the biggest contributors to the bitter partisanship and divisiveness that are infecting this country by his viscously attacking and making fun of both Democrats and moderate Republicans to his audience of over 20 million people?

Doug Bailey: Both talk radio and cable news work economically if they get an audience which is enough to sell advertising but is only a sliver of the public. They are one reason why our politics has become so hopelessly polarized. You can't get on the air unless you have something outrageous (or at least confrontational) to say. How else can you explain Ann Coulter?

_______________________

Fairfax, Va.: What would your Third Party stand for? For or against raising the minimum wage? For or against requiring far higher mileage for new cars and trucks? For or against public hearings and investigations into allegations Bush lied us into war in Iraq and that the 2004 election was stolen? For or against federally subsidized health insurance for everyone; subsidized in home nursing care for our elders; subsidized care for the disabled? I would like to hear your specifics-otherwise I wonder if your purpose is simply to preempt support for a third party that would vigorously oppose the corporate elitists who control both the Republican and Democratic parties.

Doug Bailey: Unity08 may disappoint some because we come with an agenda but not a platform -- that is for the candidates to provide. The agenda is that long list of big issues which he people find crucial to the nation's future security and welfare. It does not include issues that the people se as important (and worthy of debate) but not crucial to the future of the country. So, for example, energy independence makes the cut and gay marriage does not.

_______________________

San Francisco, Calif.: Thanks, Mr. Bailey, for taking my question. Will this exciting UNITY08 consultant party have any room for bloggers? It seems like they are making a lot of noise, and might have to be accommodated in any matrix that includes movers-and-shakers.

Doug Bailey: Bloggers are welcome of course. But sometimes one gets the impression that the bloggers feel that they are talking back and forth across the fence (or barricades) mostly to each other. So if you are a blogger in the middle we especially want to hear you. You represent the 60% of Americans who don't feel they are at either end of the spectrum.

_______________________

Bloomsburg, Pa.: In light of the past third party candidacies where one would have to go to 1968 to find any electoral votes garnered, what is the hope of Unity08? Is it to be a broker? Are there other positions being sought - Senate? or Representative?

Doug Bailey: the Unity Ticket nominated by the Unity08 online convention will win it all. Make a copy of this page and save it. the country's politics need a rebirth. 2008 is the time -- just in time.

_______________________

Blacksburg, Va.: I respect what you are trying to accomplish, but given the polarized state of American politics, can it happen? Both sides can point to recent 3rd party candidates (Perot and Nader) that may have cost their man an election. Isn't it likely that it could be viewed as a throw away vote that helps the other side win? This is certainly the view that Democrats have about Nader voters in 2000. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't try. I am just not terribly hopeful.

Doug Bailey: Before we announced the Unity08 effort we took a landscape survey just to be sure our instincts weren't crazy. Over 70% said they wanted another choice beside the R and D candidates in 2008. 70%. Actually 73%. the country is ready to give the system the jolt it needs.

_______________________

Sugarland, Tex./Alexandria, Va.: As a longtime Republican you bring a certain old-style 'Rockefeller Republican' perspective to the Unity '08 campaign.

What is your problem with the today's Republican Party?

What is your problem with Democrat response to GOP control of all branches of government? What would be your evidence of Democratic leadership?

Doug Bailey: Both parties seem to believe that the way to win elections these days is to maximize their base and then turn it out. To do so they use polarizing issues that turn out their base, enflame the other side's base, and turn off the middle. It used to be that elections were decided in the middle and fought over the middle; that brought the parties closer together and made governing easier whoever won. Now the polarizing of campaigns has slopped over to governing so that polarized means paralyzed.

_______________________

Silver Spring, Md.: I want to say that I love the idea. Up until McCain aligned himself with the far right 6 months ago, to prepare for his primary battle, I had been saying that I thought a McCain/Lieberman ticket would be the best thing that could happen to this country. They are both (or used to be) so out of line with their parties, and .. God-forbid in line with the majority of the country... I think they'd win with little trouble. Do you have any prominent politicians on board and behind your idea yet?

Doug Bailey: A lot are interested but staying mum until we prove ourselves -- that is have the numbers to be able to give the idea real strength. So go to Unity08 and sign up, and then email your friends to sign up, then call your Aunt Millie to get her on board too.

_______________________

New York, N.Y.: Mike Bloomberg has done his own version of triangulation -- a life long D who ran as an R but is governing as an I.

He has mostly denied interest in the Presidency but has occasionally left the door open.

Would someone like Mayor Bloomberg fit your definition of a viable third party candidate? (irrespective of whether he runs for the Unity08 nod)

Doug Bailey: It's not my (or our) definition that matters. the decision will be made by a 2008 online convention of millions of delegates (any registered voter can become one). that's why we are are reminding everyone to sign up now at Unity08.com and get everyone you know to do the same.

_______________________

Centreville, Va.: I seem to remember reading at your web site that you have no plans to recruit congressional or state candidates for the UNITY banner. Will you endorse candidates running for congressional or state offices? Will you allow state or local organizations that have formed to get UNITY on the presidential ballot to endorse or support candidates for other offices?

Doug Bailey: Unity08 has one interest only and that is the election of a Unity Ticket for the top two jobs in 2008. We will run no other candidates for other slots. What our supporters do separately is up to them. We are not trying to put the two parties out of business we are trying to show them that their future is dependent upon finding their way back to the middle. Otherwise they will be gone.

_______________________

Lyme, Conn.: Lowell Weicker for President. What do you think of that idea for an independent candidacy?

Doug Bailey: His one of about 75 rational names we have heard. I like most of them, including Weicker.

_______________________

Charleston, W.Va.: If you are successful and elect a third party candidate, what support, if any, can you expect from a two party Congress whose self-interest is to see this experiment fail and return one of their parties to power?

Doug Bailey: If there is one thing that all politicians have in common it is recognition of political power in the form of votes. So election of a Unity Ticket at the top will send shock waves through the Congress, who will recognize that if they don't change their ways they will be the next to go.

_______________________

Jacksonville, Fla.: I have voted for third party candidates in the past - John Andersen in 80 and Perot in 92 (but not 96). I voted for Andersen because I felt Reagan was too far right and that Carter was incompetent. I voted for Perot because neither Bush I nor Clinton was addressing the deficit. I am a moderate on social issues and very uncomfortable with the religious right. I am a fiscal conservative and pro-defense. I think the current administration is a disaster but I am, at best, skeptical of the Democrats. I think Iraq is a disaster, we never should have invaded BUT having done so we have moral and legal responsibility not to abandon Iraq until a decent level of stability is reached. Will the Unity 08 platform appeal to middle of the road voters like myself?

Doug Bailey: We think 65-70% of the voters are in the middle -- and when it comes to November they have to choose between the two nominees that the party primaries and caucuses in IA, NH and SC determine. the Unity08 ticket will appeal to the middle because it will be the middle who chooses it in that online convention (with many more delegates than all of IA, NH and SC combined. So sign up now at Unity08 and sign up everyone you know.

_______________________

Anonymous: How effective could an Independent be as President when they don't have either the House or the Senate majority? What could be accomplished under this scenario?

Doug Bailey: the Unity08 ticket will be able to speak to both parties in Congress because they represent both parties. They will bring R's and D's into the cabinet to tackle the crucial issues confronting the country. If you polarize you can only talk to a few in the Congress. If you lead and are open to ideas from both sides, you can talk to tall and get support from most.

_______________________

Dayton, Ohio: Doug - I see the best chance for a third party following the Bull Moose model - aggressive foreign policy, and a domestic agenda that combines moderate progressive parties and a live-and-let-live "Libertarian Lite" philosophy. Do you have an incipient party platform already, or are you looking for the nominees to set that?

Doug Bailey: the candidates for the online convention nomination set the platform and the delegates pick a ticket based on their perception of the candidates an their platform. So we have no platform, but we do have an agenda of crucial issues (as determined by the people) -- education, affordable health care, energy independence, soaring national debt, global climate change, etc.

_______________________

Brooklyn, N.Y.: Hi, an interesting topic.

Since the two candidates would be selected by the delegates... Who would the delegates be? How would they be selected? What qualifies them as a Unity delegate that would lend credibility to their selections?

Doug Bailey: the delegates are you. Any registered voter is qualified to be a delegate to the Unity08 online convention. Just come to Unity08.com and sign up -- and get your friends to do the same. (We'll double check everyone to be sure they are who they say they are.)

What qualifies them? they are American citizens. We think they ought to have the right to put onto the ballot anyone they want to lead their nation in a crisis. We have nothing against the voters in NH, IA and SC, but who decided that only they can decide who the rest of us choose from?

Are you signed up yet?

_______________________

Parkville, Md.: The difficulty you're going to face is this: the "peripheral" issues that you would like to ignore, as relatively unimportant to the nation, are precisely the "wedge" issues that the two major parties use to energize their bases. So while you may wish to avoid talking about gay marriage or abortion, for instance, the major parties will press you on those issues precisely because they work for them as they always have. What will be your strategy for sidelining the wedge issues and focusing on those issues that are of critical national importance (i.e. the federal budget deficit, energy independence) but just aren't as sexy?

Doug Bailey: You are right that it is inevitable that the Unity08 candidates will have to address issues that voters consider important (even though most don't see them as crucial). But you don't have to win 1200% of the votes to win any election I've ever heard of. And the middle want to know serious answers to serious questions that the polarizing politics of today just never seem to get around to.

_______________________

Long Beach, Calif.: How will this compare with the Know-Nothing Party of the 19th century? Will you exact concessions from one of the two parties, and perhaps swing your votes towards them? Isn't that the primary power of a third party?

Doug Bailey: I'd call the primary power of Unity08 the power to elect a President and Vice President. We aren't in this to swing it one way or the other. You cite the "Know Nothings" who won nothing. I cite the Republican Party of Abraham Lincoln, the third party of its day -- which elected a President of the United States in the midst of the biggest crisis in American history up to that point. We're in another right now -- and we think Unity08 is a pretty good answer.

_______________________

San Francisco, Calif.: Hello, Mr. Bailey, and thanks for taking my question today.

This "Unity 2008" idea must be exciting to politicians who are unresponsive to their respective parties' bases. Do you expect to be involved in the Connecticut Senate race should Joe Lieberman end up running as an independent?

Doug Bailey: No. We're not getting into any local races. But I agree that the Lieberman contest is a fascinating example of how silly the parties have become. If Joe Lieberman doesn't win the Democratic primary he will keep his seat as an Independent. Count on it. the two independent candidacies for Governor in TX are more examples of voter restlessness. and in KS, the incumbent Dem. Gov has actually chosen a Republican as her Lt. Gov. running mate. things are changing -- fast. As usual, Washington is largely in the dark.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Given the performance of 3rd party candidates in presidential elections can you explain why anyone should think that a 3rd party is viable? This seems like a good way to get a little attention from the news media while ensuring that support for Democratic candidates is weakened.

Is Unity '08 considering supporting a Lieberman candidacy?

Doug Bailey: the decision will be made by the delegates. Are you one? You can be. those who gripe from the sidelines when the power to change things is being created for you to act seem a little silly to me. A third party is viable if the people make it viable. What have you done to make it so. It's easy, you know, come to Unity08 and be part of it.

_______________________

Woonsocket, R.I.: I was polled recently, and I suspect that the poll was on behalf of Unity '08. I have a comment, and a question. Comment: the poll was poorly designed, since it asked if I would be willing to support a unity ticket, but didn't allow an answer that would have been meaningful.

My question is, how would you respond to those who worry that Unity '08 will simply act as a spoiler, splitting the anti-neocon vote?

Doug Bailey: What's fascinating to us is that the neo-cons worry that Unity08 will split their vote, the Democrats worry that Unity08 will split their vote, etc. the people worry that neither the Republican, Democrats or Neo-cons either are giving them genuine leadership on crucial issues. We do intend to split the vote of both parties -- and in so doing elect a President of the United States who will lead through crucial times.

_______________________

Williamsburg, Va.: How difficult do you think it will be to get your candidates on all 50 ballots?

Doug Bailey: It will be a struggle. All 50 states have made laws that deter such operations from succeeding -- but Perot did it, Anderson did it, etc. and in our case since we expect millions as delegates to the online convention we expect an army of millions to help make ballot access work in all 50 states. But that means we need people power. So sign up now -- and get all whom you know feel the same about Washington to sign up too.

_______________________

Richmond, Va.: An interesting idea, but one that doesn't have a chance. First off, you need $100 million to run a presidential election - do you have those funds? Secondly, most Republicans and Democrats will vote for the 2 main parties, rather than "throw away" a vote on a 3rd party candidate, a la Ralph Nader.

Doug Bailey: We are not Ralph Nader, thank God. It is true that the American people will not throw their vote away -- and shouldn't for candidates with no chance to win. that is not our situation. Remember that Ross Perot (even with all idiosyncracies) led in the polls in June 1992). and even after dropping out because of some strange story about spies after his daughter, still got 20% of the vote when he got back in later.

We expect to be perceived as a potential winner and therefore a logical recipient of the vote of every American who feels that Washington politics has let them down.

_______________________

Alabama: Back to the states' question. I'm all for a third party, even a fourth, fifth or sixth one: Neither party adequately represents me. But I think going for a presidential run seems to make it an all or nothing proposition. Fail in 2008 and we're back to the drawing board. Why not work on state legislatures and build a talent base from there? It wouldn't be as spectacular as a presidential run, but it would allow the party to sink its roots in and develop organizations that could make the established parties sweat.

Doug Bailey: A good notion -- except it is our belief that America simply doesn't have time to wait for another generation for leadership to emerge. Everything has been sped up so much that we may only have one presidential election left to get our political leadership focused on the crucial issues -- or face the reality that the American Dream is simply no more. The time is now -- not ten years from now.

_______________________

Berea, Ky.: You say that you would field persons from both parties as candidates for the same ticket eg: President/Vice-President. How exactly would your third party ensure that the (R) or (D) parties would not gain the upper hand if the President of your party died and the VP was not the same party or vice versa?

Personally, I have long believed that we should have NO parties. ALL candidates for ALL positions should be NON-PARTISAN thereby effectively eliminating the power of the parties to influence candidates and office holders. I have NEVER seen any where in the Constitution anything about parties nor have I seen anything EXCEPT WHAT the parties themselves send out stating they should be the final say so about anything.

I also firmly believe that we, as a Nation, can not endure if we, as a Nation, do not return to the basics in school and teach our children GOVERNMENT, HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY and How it all works. Today that is rarely, if ever, being taught and we wonder why our citizens, who are our voters and future voters don't vote or follow political issues to know why they should vote. Does your third party advocate this issue? Or are you, as usual going to do "business as usual?" Thank you.

Doug Bailey: I guess we are guilty of not thinking of every possibility, but my answer would be that I hope that the ticket mates would have worked out in advance a series of what-if scenarios to deal with things like that. I presume that one of them would be that if the President dies, the new President would keep up the unity tradition by appointing a VP of the other party.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Can you deliver anything of substance to your supporters without winning the contest?

Doug Bailey: If we do not win the contest, we will have at least aught the two parties that most voters are in the middle and they need to move there to fight to win them. that is to say, that if we don't win at least one of the parties will have been bright enough to come to the middle to take it away from Unity08. That's not our goal, but it sure would be progress.

_______________________

Anonymous: If your party controls the middle, and is the needed ingredient for either party to achieve a majority, what's wrong with negotiating with the two main parties to exact the maximum amount of concessions, which would negate the far left and right most likely, but provide your constituents with the most bang for their bucks? The Know-Nothings did not win, but they essentially oft-times chose the winner, which ain't bad!

Doug Bailey: True enough. But our goal isn't to influence things, it is to win the presidency for the American people and change our politics from polarized and paralyzed to vibrant debate, discussion, leadership and action. And we need you to get that done. Please go to Unity08.com and sign up now. and then email your friends to do the same. You have the power to change your country -- just in time.

_______________________

Georgetown, Tex.: Why do you have to run people from either party? To me an independent who owes no allegiance to either party is more representative.

Doug Bailey: It's up to the delegates to the convention. Are you signed up yet? (unity08.com)

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: What tangible steps are you taking to fuel Lieberman running as an independent?

Doug Bailey: None. If you mean in CT this year, what is happening is what our politics have become. Everything is so polarized that incumbents mostly need only fear a challenge from the extremes within their own party. He may survive the primary, but if he doesn't he will probably run as an Independent.

_______________________

Anonymous: Would a better policy be public campaign financing? To get all the special interest and corporations out of the law making business so that the government would actually work for its citizens...

Doug Bailey: Few issues are more crucial than the corruption that plagues Washington -- and especially the financing of House incumbents. It is ironic that they won't answer mail from outside their own districts, but most of their money comes from outside the District -- most of it from Washington lobbyists or raised by them. It is a crucial issues that is paralyzing Washington. The inaction on reform in the face of the Abramoff case is one thing that has the public just disgusted -- with both parties.

_______________________

Fairfax, Va.: We live in a country controlled by the Right Wing whose agenda rules the House, Senate, White House and most of the time the Supreme Court. The country is not evenly split between two parties. What will your third party do about the one-party rule we have that is eviscerating our democracy and are the political consultants among you the same ones that have lead the Democrats into one defeat after another? In other words where are you coming from?

Doug Bailey: I disagree strongly with the premise -- with you and Karl Rove's talking points have in common. I don't doubt that the Republican or conservatives are a little better organized than the Democrats and the liberals. And they have been able to express their views a little more effectively. But the great middle of the American electorate numbers anywhere from 60% up -- persuadable in any election and open on crucial issues. How else can you possibly explain that 21 State Governors come from the opposite party of the way their state went for President. I also believe, for what it is worth, that the Republican coalition which always seemed so solid is starting to come apart on a variety of issues as it perceives their leaders having used the issues they cared about as wedges rather than intrinsic parts of their leadership agenda.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Third party efforts always fail because they cannot win enough votes to win an office, and without power they can never deliver policy or patronage to their supporters. This is the closest thing yet to a "none of the above" candidacy. How can you roll out a third party with no political philosophy and no candidate and expect to succeed more than the Communist Party of America, which at least has a governing philosophy?

Doug Bailey: We will only exceed if we can convince the American voters in the middle, who are fed up with the bickering of the political parties in Washington, to come join us and take back their country. The place to start is Unity08.com. We want and need you. So does your country.

_______________________

Doug Bailey: I'm signing off now. But as I do, let me thank you for your questions and leave you with this thought: America faces a transforming election in 2008; we may never have faced one as critical to our future -- and to our children's future.

I predict that Americans will respond to their moment of truth as they always do -- summon the courage to give freedom still another rebirth. This time we need to say no to politics as usual and insist that Washington be better than that. that is what Unity08 is all about. And we want you with us. Come to Unity08 and sign up -- and bring your friends and their friends. And don't forget Aunt Millie.

_______________________

Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.