Palin aims to shake up GOP establishment

The Conservative Party in New York has been trying to get one of its brethren elected for years. Maybe this time around, they'll succeed. I have no doubt that we're going to see a number of Republicans follow Palin's lead in years to come. This splintering of the Republican party started under Bush, because conservative Republicans got fed up with Bush's big-government and big-spending policies. And things took off when Ron Paul entered the fray and when McCain became the Republican candidate In theory, I'm all for the establishment of a viable third party. I really think that America needs one. However the reality is that the structure of America's two-party system and the advantages that both the Democratic and Republican party have in terms of finance virtually precludes the emergence of a viable third party.At this point though the time has never been better for a third party to gain a foot-hold in American politics . . . .

The problem with two many parties on one side is that it splinters the vote as well.  When Canada had two right of centre parties it was impossible for either of them to come even close.  In order to get a majority government in Canada a party has to carry Ontario and Quebec. Electoral ridings are drawn according to population and most Canadians live in those two provinces.  With polls closing at 8pm local time in their respective time zones, before the results could be broadcast when the last poll closed in British Columbia or Alberta, the election had already been decided before the election was broadcast in those two provinces.

October 2009:  Sarah Palin is going to "shake things up."

September 2008:  Ron Paul is going to "shake things up."

October 2009:  Republican candidates Matt Ferris, Alicia Healy, Rosanne Hicks contend that voting for a Republican challenger can "shake things up."

September 2008:  John Shaw Republican candidate from Florida is running for senate and is going to "shake things up."

September 2008:  John McCain "Come on Sarah let's "shake things up."

It seems this phrase is the default clarian call for Republicans against what?  What are they shaking up?  Are they shaking up their own party in the hopes of splintering it.  I would favor this as we have seen the damage it can go.  So, perhaps we Democrats should privately join Sarah and her entourage as they shake up their party into marginal groups who have a diffcult time attaining consensus within their own party.

Interesting typo in the first paragraph ... "Going Rouge".  Sarah Palin?  Not so interesting but just as flakey as the typo.

Rory,

Any kind of change or directional shift is going to cause controversy.  People who voted for Obama knew they didn't like the direction the country was going, and voted their conscience and rightly so.  The part they didn't vote for is what is entailed in change:  discontent and radical opposition.  You don't have to go very far back in history to prove this.  Change is like a war of ideas with each side posturing, proposing, and fighting for their views to rise from the ashes of controversy as the dominate ones and rightly so. 

Most of us who comment here are passionate in our views, and this is a wonderful thing.  At least we have views!  We are not a  "nation of sheep" who allow "others" to form our opinions for us.  For this I am greatful. 

Democrats do not all agree, and I invite this because growth is born in conflict.  We are seeing this as health care reform evolves and everyone is taking part.  This is our government at its best, despite what some say. 

Sarah Palin discussions are always amusing, it seems to me. By now you would think that she has pretty well established that she is not well educated in disciplines necessary for global leadership. She cheated the citizens of Alaska of a full term and tried to check out on the notion that she delivered something. The only thing the state got was much attention to a bungling and cheating government and a big bill. So, what is the point of SP? She clobbered John McCain and is now on a shopping spree again in New York. Security guard alert!

Well said YankeeJim

She likes to capitalize on her "maverick" status, but this is not much good when the country needs a person who at least can discuss domestic and foreign policy informatively.  I will listen to the opposition, but they at least need to have some knowledge base.  And emotional appeals and name calling do not hold much sway in the world of problems and soluctions.