Greenspan: Third-party candidate coming

CNN.Com ^ | March 10, 2006 | CNN

[RabidBartender]

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Recently retired Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan believes that there will be a major independent candidate for president from the nation's political center, according to a published report.

In an interview with The New York Times about his post-Fed activities, Greenspan said he makes that prediction in a memoir, for which he recently got an estimated $8.5 million advance from Penguin Press, a unit of British publishing concern Pearson (Research). Recently retired Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan. Recently retired Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan.

Greenspan told the Times he plans to argue that the current "ideological divide" separating conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats leaves "a vast untended center from which a well-financed independent presidential candidate is likely to emerge in 2008 or, if not then, in 2012."

[RabidBartender]

He told the newspaper he plans to write some of his early life history, including the influence of his mentor, the author and novelist Ayn Rand, who shaped him as a young man into a libertarian.

Who knew?

Also, if McCain fails to garner the GOP nomination, would he recruit some 'moderate' Dem to be his VP and run as a Reform candidate? McCain/Bayh? McCain/Richardson? McCain/Clinton? (shudder)

[austinite]

Any canditate in between the R's and the D's is going to be pretty far left of center.

[hubbubhubbub]

LOL, And this from the guy who said he can not predict asset bubbles until after he creates them with massive currency debasement.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

ross perot's candidacy was doomed from the git but it put klinton in office.

We don't need a replay with a different cast, least of all one which greenspew has in mind.

[Crispus Attucks Patriot]

Third party candidates historically do not win.

Any moderate, (read "weak-kneed fence-sitting spineless cipher"), would take the traditional Dems away from the moonbat left, and split their vote.

I don't think it would hurt a GOP candidate at all...well, provided of course the GOP nomoinates a staunch conservative.

Or if they kill two birds with one stone and nominate my girl Condi.....

[HamiltonJay]

Well, what he actually means is that the Dems are so far to the left, and the Republicans are taking that for granted and an independent that is left/moderate will likely come along and steal much of the Democratic non moonbat members.... and if successful will basically spell the end of the Democratic party as it now exists.

There is not as much room on the right, though the stands on immigration, "free trade" and other things are opening up a possibility there too... but its not as big of a one yet.

[in hoc signo vinces]

I saw her (Condi) on C-Span last night testifying before a Senatorial Appropriation Committee along with Gen. John Abazaid.

She's a great gal, and it would seem the military loves and respects her. She'd be a good POTUS.

[Siena Dreaming]

ideological divide" separating conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats leaves "a vast untended center

Greenspan sounds almost gleeful that the "untended" center's needs will be met by this so-called independent candidate.

Methinks Greenspan is not a fan of the religious right, especially if he was a devotee of the atheism of Ayn Rand.

[Flavius Josephus]

He's a Randian? Interesting. I think our two political parties are left and lefter, and we are likely to see the emergence of a new conservative party. But I could be wrong.

[IamConservative]

I would strongly consider voting for a centrist candidate on:

1) Real Tax Reform: Elimination of progressive income tax.
2) Tort Reform: Get the lawyers out of medicine.
3) Entitlement Reform: Ownership and Earnership. Hard work will be rewarded.
4) Alphabet Agency Funding: Elimination of all extra-constitutional government agencies.

[antiRepublicrat]

Alan Greenspan believes that there will be a major independent candidate for president from the nation's political center

Oh, that's great, warn the Republicrats so they can make sure to kill any possibility of success. You don't think they learned their lesson with Ross Perot? Effective competition cannot be allowed.

[Designer]

"..we are likely to see the emergence of a new conservative party.."

Those are some pretty brave words to be posting on Free Republic!

The potential party is already here; the Constitution Party.

New Member.

[TBP]

You got that right. The Republicans are liberal enough, thank you.

[pawdoggie]

Recently retired Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan believes that there will be a major independent candidate for president from the nation's political center, according to a published report.

I think he got this second-hand, from Andrea who heard it from Hillary. This is the only way she could win, split the "moderate" and "Reagan Democrat" vote with a "ringer". It can't be an identifiable leftist running as a moderate, so who this would be (assuming that McCain doesn't bolt from the GOP) is a mystery.

[308MBR]

Especially since the GOP has (with the help of entrenched bureaucrats at the depts. of State, Treasury, INS, Education, Energy, Interior, etc.) already put two wheels in the ditch on the left shoulder of the road.

[308MBR]

As soon as Condi stops dividing Israel, kowtowing to fascist states, and supporting abortion I'll be glad to vote for her.

At least she isn't a gun grabber. I guess I could hold my nose like I did in the last two elections, knowing I was voting for the son of a right wing socialist, who in turn has proven to be a chip off the old block.

[308MBR]

That's not centrist. That's conservatism.

[OldFriend]

IOW, Greenspan will support any candidate that is against conservative values.

[IamConservative]

That's not centrist. That's conservatism.

Plus, dash or two of libertarian. I did leave one issue off - not sure how I forgot - illegal immigration. I am all for legal immigration, but illegals running an off the books economy and consuming entitlement dollars make we want to kick someone's behind.

[Jim Noble]

The only thing preventing a McCain/HRC ticket (which would win easily) is that Hillary will only come if she's on top (so to speak), and that would greatly reduce the chances of success.