Modern Whig Party
The Modern Whig Party is a United States political party whose stated intention is to be a "party for the rest of us." It is recognized as a mainstream and non-fringe "middle ground" between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.
Founded by Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, the party has over 30,000 members nationally, with a sizeable proportion affiliated with the American military.
The Modern Whig Party has gained significant mainstream and online media coverage touting the movement as a "political phenomenon" with wide appeal, potential viability, and proven ability to attract disenchanted moderate Republicans and moderate Democrats, according to a Times-Standard editorial.
The Party plans to run three candidates for federal office in 2010 and also a small amount state and local candidates in 2009 in order to maintain what it calls a manageable, quality-driven slate of viable candidates rather than merely quantity. The general platform of the Modern Whig Party relates to fiscal responsibility, strong national defense and social progression.
An editorial in one newspaper referred to the Modern Whig Party as the "fastest-growing mainstream political movement in the nation." A Sunday op-ed piece by a prominent North Carolina columnist was highly favorable toward the party, including a review that "there is nothing fringe AbOUT the Modern Whig platform."
History
According to the Raleigh News & Observer, "the national Modern Whig Party, as it calls itself, was started in the most unlikely of locations—the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan by U.S. troops. The Modern Whig Party was organized as a national party in late 2007 as a successor to the historical Whig Party. Among its founding members were military veterans who had served in Afghanistan and Iraq and become dissatisfied with the deep ideological divide between the Republican and Democratic parties.
The Party has a national headquarters in Washington, DC and an executive committee. Less than a year into its creation, the Modern Whig Party attracted over 30,000 members nationally. A Board of Benefactors selected a national chairman and three-person national executive committee, at least one of whom must be a military veteran or military spouse, to run the party.
National Chairman Mike Lebowitz is a Washington, DC attorney and advocate for veterans' issues. He also served in Iraq as a paratrooper in the Pathfinder Company of the 101st Airborne Division and testified at US House and Senate hearings on May 14, 2008 in regard to improving military whistle blower legislation.
The Party describes itself as a mainstream, middle-of-the-road grassroots movement that caters to those voters who believe in various Republican issues but also believe in various other Democratic issues.
The Party announced their first victory on election day with the election of Ken Belcher as Constable of Lee County, Alabama. Immediately after the election of November 4, 2008, a push began to attract moderate/conservative Democrats and members of the Republican Party who felt disenchanted with both the GOP's failings and its perception as moving farther to the right. In fact, those seeking a non-ideological political movement reportedly began joining the Modern Whig Party as soon as the election results came in.
On 19 May 2009 during a national online meeting, the Modern Whig Party and Florida Whig Party jointly announced the first federal Whig candidate since the 1850s: Paul C. McKain of Florida. Ballot Access News also reported that a candidate for the 2009 New Jersey Assembly elections was on the ballot under the Modern Whig Party designation.
Political platform
The MWP follows a six tenet philosophy that it does not specifically associate with centrism, but instead has been referred to as "Modern Whig philosophy" due to the fact that the movement does take stands on issues while ranging across the mainstream political spectrum.
The six tenets of the Modern Whig philosophy include:
- Fiscal responsibility - "The Modern Whig philosophy is to empower the states with the resources to handle their unique affairs."
- Energy independence - "Reduce dependence on foreign oil by developing practical sources of alternative energy. This will have the simultaneous effect of changing the national security dynamic."
- Education/Scientific advancement - "Increased public and private emphasis on fields such as space, oceanic, medical and nanotechnology. Also, providing common-sense solutions to enhance our educational system from pre-school to university-level studies."
- States' rights - "Each state can determine its course of action based on local values and unique needs."
- Social progression - "Government should refrain from legislating morality."
- Veterans affairs - "Vigilant advocacy relating to the medical, financial, and overall well-being of our military families and veterans."
There are also self-described "general principles" of Modern Whig philosophy that are included along with the tenets:
State and territorial affiliates with ballot access
- Florida Whig Party
- North Carolina Modern Whig Party
- Modern Whig Party of Texas
State affiliates
The Modern Whig Party currently has official chapters in the 26 states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.