There seems to be a void in the middle of the political spectrum, with a plurality of Americans identifying themselves as independents or moderates, and many feeling that entrenched special interests are controlling the agenda at the national level. Of course, saying you’re an independent is the hip and trendy thing to do now, so the polling might be exaggerated, but the point remains the same.
Dissatisfaction with the party in power of all branches of government in America is evident, due to concerns over government spending, special interest influence, and economic challenges.
In Queens, New York State’s third largest party, the Independence Party is represented by executive committee member Mike Niebauer. The Independence Party platform is committed to restoring choice in our electoral process, enhancing participation and accountability, and counteracting the advantages of incumbency and special interest influence through good government initiatives such as term limits, campaign finance reform and voter referenda.
Niebauer grew up in the Beechhurst section of Whitestone riding his motorbike around LeHavre, alarming its residents, including my parents – a rambunctious youth, and he is now a leader who loves our borough and is involved in its civic life. He still lives nearby and, in addition to his party role, does public relations and strategy work, as well as hosting a talk show on Queens Public Access Television.
The Independence Party’s ballot line has proven the difference-maker in many closely-contested elections in New York over the years. It provided the margin of victory in the recent elections of Councilmembers Dan Halloran and Peter Koo and Senator Frank Padavan.
Research has indicated that political polarization is at an all time high; for instance, there are now fewer ideologically centrist members of Congress than there has been in over a century, and nationally there is less and less overlap between the parties, meaning generally Democratic officeholders have moved to the left and Republicans from other parts of the country to the right.
Such a dichotomy creates an opening in the middle, which is something that is sure to heighten the already pivotal role that Mike Niebauer, State Chairman Frank Mackay and the Independence Party can play here in Queens, as well as the impact of third parties elsewhere during this election cycle.
Daniel Egers is on the staff of Councilmember Dan Halloran and is executive director of the Queens County Republican Party. The opinions expressed here are his own.
