Will a THIRD Party Ever Beat Democrats & Republicans?
The Chuck ToddCast
Empowering Independents: Rethinking Political Engagement
This chapter examines the rise of independent candidates and their potential to reshape political discourse away from traditional party lines. It highlights the importance of pragmatism, solution-oriented approaches, and innovative governance methods, such as citizen assemblies, in fostering community engagement. The conversation raises critical questions about campaign finance, lobbying influence, and the need for a more inclusive political landscape that reflects diverse voter perspectives.
Chuck Todd begins by trying to make sense of the Elon Musk vs. Donald Trump public feud and why Trump will likely be muted in his criticism. Chuck also weighs in on the NYC mayoral race, why Andrew Cuomo shouldn’t be allowed to run this soon after resigning in disgrace and why voters were deprived of closure in the Cuomo scandal.
Then, Chuck sits down with Lindsey Williams Drath, CEO of the Forward Party, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing America's newest third-party movement. Williams discusses the party's "purple" approach to politics, rejecting traditional left-right labels while focusing on governance over party affiliation. The conversation covers the significant barriers third parties face, from institutional pushback to the infrastructure advantages held by Republicans and Democrats, who have "pulled the ladder up behind them" through restrictive ballot access requirements and partisan primaries.
Looking ahead to the 2026 and 2028 elections, Drath outlines the Forward Party's strategic approach to building from the ground up at the state level, targeting swing districts and disaffected voters from both major parties. The discussion touches on fusion voting, potential mergers with other independent groups, and the party's unique challenge of maintaining unity without a rigid ideology. Williams also addresses whether candidates with contradictory positions can coexist under one party banner, the role of money in politics, and how the Forward Party plans to avoid becoming a spoiler while building toward federal party status and meaningful electoral competition.
Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ question in the “Ask Chuck” segment regarding whether he’d ever consider working in the White House comms shop, what type of leader could best correct the erosion of American democracy, and who he thinks are the top 3 candidates to be at the top of the Democratic ticket in 2028.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
02:30 There is tremendous dissatisfaction with both political parties
04:00 What to make of the Elon Musk vs Donald Trump feud?
05:00 One party governance breeds bad governance
07:30 Trump vs Musk was always going to be a test of wills
08:30 Trump isn’t as aggressive with people wealthier than him
10:15 Democrats likely won’t forgive Elon if he turns on Trump
11:30 Winner of the Democratic NYC mayoral primary will be the mayor
12:45 Andrew Cuomo hasn’t lived in NYC in 35 years
13:45 Cuomo shouldn’t have resigned because we never got closure on accusations
15:45 If you resign in disgrace, there needs to be an electoral penalty
16:30 Cuomo never faced an impeachment trial
18:30 Multiple governors have resigned in order to dodge investigations
21:00 We never got an accounting of Al Franken’s ethics committee report
23:00 Cuomo shouldn’t be able to run again so soon
24:00 Lindsey Williams Drath joins the Chuck ToddCast!
24:50 What is the Forward Party and what do they believe?
26:30 Barriers to entry for a third party
27:10 There's growing sentiment for the need for a third party
28:30 There's major institutional pushback to third parties
29:30 Republicans and Democrats have an infrastructure advantage
30:20 10-year goal. What is success?
31:15 Built the party from the ground up at the state level
32:30 Andrew Yang's role in building the party
35:30 Administrative roles in Forward Party
37:45 Goal for the midterms is not a third party spoiler; but party-building; state level
40:15 Working toward federal party status; looking at seats in 2026 & 2028
42:10 What districts will they be targeting?
44:30 How Forward candidates can register for ballot access
47:00 Major parties have pulled the ladder up behind them.
47:50 Partisan primaries are unconstitutional
49:30 Defining fusion voting
51:30 Merging with the Independence Party?
53:15 There are lots of disaffected voters; and many "formers" in the Forward Party
55:45 We need to prioritize governance over party affiliation
57:30 What did the Problem Solvers Caucus fail at?
59:00 Lisa Murkowski building trust from her base while caucusing with both parties
59:45 John Cornyn missing opportunity to be more independent from GOP
1:01:45 What's stopping candidates from working with the Forward party?
1:03:45 What candidates do they want to target? What's the win?
1:05:30 Voters have closer relationships with mayors & governors
1:08:50 The Forward Party is planning a convention
1:10:45 Can you be a political party that doesn't have an ideology or candidates that contradict?
1:14:30 Money in politics & government debt are linked
1:27:45 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Lindsey Willams Drath
1:30:30 Ask Chuck
1:30:45 Would you ever want to work at the White House in communications?
1:34:15 What type of leader can fix the erosion of our democracy and civic unity?
1:38:30 Which three democrats are most likely to win the nomination in 28?
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