Summary
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’ 2024 running mate, has suggested he may run for president in 2028.
Reflecting on the Democrats’ loss to Donald Trump and JD Vance, he admitted: “A large number of people did not believe we were fighting for them in the last election – and that’s the big disconnect.”
Walz said his life experience, rather than ambition, would guide his decision.
Though his VP campaign was marred by gaffes, he remains open to running if he feels prepared.
I think it’s important to work towards enabling more political parties between now and 2028. We need alternative voting systems like Alaska and Maine have, but in the other states as well. That is only really possibly through getting ballot initiatives passed in each state for something like STAR Voting, Ranked Robin Voting, Score Voting, or Ranked Choice Voting.
A different voting system enables us to move away from First Past the Post, which is what forces a two party system. By having this, there can be more smaller parties that more truly represent the values of each state that can work with the bigger parties. Plus, it opens up the door for the most liked candidates to not knock each other out over the least liked candidates when tallying the votes.
All that is needed in about half of the states is to get signatures to put ballot initiatives up for a vote. Through grassroots action we can make a meaningful difference, and get more politicians like Walz that actually care about us in office.
Alaska has had two voting attempts to overturn RCV and will have another during the midterms. The MAGA wing has fought intensely against it and has the majority pull in the mostly red state. The major parties are doing their work to try to prevent alternative voting strategies and generally has the money and clout to do so. Grassroots movements have helped, but is difficult messaging for the average voter. In the last RCV run in Alaska spending was 10:1 towards RCV and it only narrowed out a 3pt margin. Maybe what’s happening in DC bludgening federally-dependent state might shake things up, but if we’re to believe media/social media trends about MAGA doubling down I won’t hold my breath.
Democratic party needs to die. Controlled opposition that takes up energy from actual opposition.
“Graveyard of social movements”, 60’s radicals called it.