A Third Party

To whom it may concern,

Bipartisan politics is caused by the absence of a strong third party. Now that one of the most successful US Mayor's in modern history might have to create his own political party to run for a third term in New York City, things might be changing. While this is no Ross Perot, and the Mayor of New York City is certainly not the President of the United States, it is still a high office. Along with the organic growth of the Green party in the nation's West, winning several local elections, and an independent Senator in Congress, there are some relative, visible gains for third party interests. While party's have evolved, died, changed names, and gained favor over the course of American history, the political system has changed very little since the time of the Federalists versus the Anti-Federalists. With all the promises to end bipartisanship in Washington, the unification of the two parties portends the demise of one and the rise of another, or at least an opportunity for a third party to rise to relevance? How does this administration intend to court third parties in this new political reality?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP