The Moderate Republican

Reform Party:1995-2004 (?)

Remember when the Reform Party was seen as the next big thing in Ameican politics? With Ross Perot at the helm in 1996 it won 8 percent of the vote and won the governorship in Minnesota in 1998. It was seen as a new centrist party that was socially inclusive and fiscally conservative. However, by 2000, things turned south. Pat Buchanan decided to run for President under the Reform banner and brought his far-right buddies with him taking over the party. Annoyed by this, the most powerful state party, Minnesota, pulled out that year and took its old name, the Independence Party. Ross Perot decided to back George W. Bush

In 2000, the Reform Party barely made a dent in the polls. Most of the Buchananites left the party in 2002 to join the Constitution Party leaving a weakened mess.

Now there is news that the party is flat broke. The party's treasurer asked the FEC to terminate the party saying it has only $19 in the bank. The national chair denies that there is a problem, but I doubt the treasurer would talk to the FEC just because he had nothing better to do.

In some case, it is sad that a party that once had great potential is now pretty much dead. However, the party was based really on the personality of Perot and had very little in the way of a guiding philosophy. When he left, Buchanan came in to fill the void and when Buchanan left, there was nothing left to rush in.
This is unlike a party based on principles, like the Libertarian or Green Parties.

It's odd that the Reform Party is dying just as it's primary issue is in the forefront again: the deficit.

Posted by Dennis at August 12, 2004 12:51 AM