By HDN staff
The next presidential election may still be more than a year away, but this has not prevented a virtual plethora of potential candidates from casting covetous eyes on a possible nomination.
Some of these so-called candidates fall into the category known as limousine liberals a less than flattering term that refers to the well-to-do show-business crowd from Hollywood. The list includes Warren Beatty, Oprah Winfrey, and Cybill Shepherd. Even talk-show host Jerry Springer is said to be considering a senatorial run in the state of Ohio.
Add to the list one Donald Trump a well-known east-coast multi-millionaire, who just last week announced he is forming an exploratory committee, and Jesse Ventura, the current governor of Minnesota who is also rumored to be forming a committee.
Throw into the mix candidate hopefuls like Mr. (flat tax) Steve Forbes, also a multi-millionaire, and the ultra-conservative former commentator, Pat Buchanan, and you have the makings of a political checkerboard that runs the gamut of political views.
What do they all have in common?
They are all looking at the Reform Party as a possible vehicle to the White House.
Does this mean this unlikely hodgepodge of political characters are all believers in the Reform Partys political platform of reducing the national debt, campaign finance reform, or trade protectionism, or is something else at work here?
Dont be fooled. Several factors have prompted this flight to the Noahs Ark of political parties and none of them have anything to do with party platform.
First, the creation of the Reform Party eight years ago opened the door of political opportunity to many who up to that time had been shut out of the political process by career politicians and the traditional party politics of the Republican and Democratic machines.
Second, the Reform Party also offers a $12 million war chest that several hopefuls most notably Pat Buchanan feel they need if they are to continue the fight.
Third, the nomination process of the Reform Party is open to anyone wanting to cast a ballot and you dont have to be part of the machine to be nominated.
If nothing else, this rush to the Reform Party demonstrates a growing dissatisfaction with the politics as usual attitude of Republican and Democratic traditionalists and a desire on the part of many Americans to be involved in the political process.
It may appear right now to be chaotic, and even a little ridiculous, but from our point of view it cant be all bad, either.
