Only A Curious Few Turn Out For Patriot Party Rally Reagan, Jackson And Perot Supporters Turn Out To Explore New Party
A new crusade to expand the nation’s political party options got a sluggish start Wednesday night in Spokane.
The fledgling Patriot Party - a mishmash of Ross Perot backers and other political independents - was greeted by a small, surly crowd at the VFW Hall, 300 W. Mission.
A Christian conservative demanded to know where the party stood on religious values. A Democrat urged the Patriots to work within the two-party system. A Libertarian leader wanted the Patriots to join his party. A Perot man said he feared Patriots are too militant.
Harriet Hoffman, state Patriot Party chairwoman, repeatedly asked skeptics: “If you’re happy with the two-party system, why are you here?”
Four members of the Washington state Patriot Party, including Spokane City Council candidate Steve Thompson, described the party’s platform and ambitions to about 18 curious people.
Its main goal is bold - to craft a new majority party in the United States that overwhelms Democrats and Republicans and puts “citizen legislators” in power.
The party bills itself as a diverse and inclusive, with no unified stand on hot-button controversies like abortion or gun control. Members range from Jesse Jackson fans to Ronald Reagan loyalists.
The platform includes a balanced budget, the elimination of political action committees, term limits and most other popular political reforms.
Questioned about the platform’s fine print, Hoffman replied: “We have not produced a perfect party or a perfect document. It’s a work in progress. … It’s the first party in America that hasn’t been handed to the people by big shots.”
Before the meeting broke up and a hat was passed for contributions, Hoffman asked for new Patriots to raise their hands.
There were only two new recruits.
One of them was a Republican who later said the Patriot message “is wonderful, but it won’t work.”
Hoffman looked weary as the crowd thinned. “This was a rough meeting.”
, DataTimes