Dr. Fulani and the Very Good Point

Monday, June 23, 2008 | 6:48 PM

Amidst the red and blue swirl of dialogue, a question was posed from the crowd: what about the independent voter? How were these partisan activist bloggers reaching out to this key demographic? The thought was dismissed with a mutually agreed upon explanation that there really was no such thing- independents fell in line with one party or the other. The question came from none other than Dr. Lenora Fulani, an independent presidential candidate in 1988 and 1992 and the first African American female to appear on the ballot in all 50 states. Leading the New York Independence Party, she has argued that the Democratic Party does not necessarily serve the interests of African Americans, countering conventional wisdom and putting politicians on notice not to take her for granted. She has fought to legitimize third party candidates and formed alliances with both Democrats and Republicans, broadening the political discourse and paving a path for reform. That Dr. Fulani's comments were shrugged off, that celebrated speakers from the left and right would pass over a discussion about a voting group that does not just fall into line with either GOP or Democratic ideology, is indicative of a willful ignorance that has plagued some of the more popular blogsites. As the PDF is confirming, the blogosphere is still very much the Wild West and it can be tricky to get any attention when two big groups are shooting at each other all day long. This may change in the coming months. The bloodlust of 2004 has died down and both candidates are making an effort to move beyond party loyalty.