Well, if disgruntled Republicans want a third party alternative,

[MineralMan]

14. Thanks. I mean to imply the third parties on the left

when I mentioned Perot.

As you say, it's somewhat likely that a third party candidate on the right may well appear in 2012. Not very likely at all on the left. In my mind, that is a good thing, and I hope it happens, since it will increase our chances all around, including in the legislatures, both state and federal. Movement toward the left, I believe, can only happen from a position where Democrats hold the Presidency and both houses of Congress. The state legislatures are also important, since they are the secondary school for future candidates.

If we can control Congress and have a Democratic President, there's far more room for progressive ideas to move forward, in my opinion. The progressive voices will have a much easier time in that situation proposing progressive legislation. For me, all of that means that 2012 is a pivotal year, and that every effort must be made to regain solid and filibuster-proof majorities in Congress. I'm not certain it can be done in 2012, but we'll have a chance in 2014 to increase those majorities, and in 2016 as well, along with an opportunity to put a progressive presidential candidate forward. In those four years, I believe we have a strong opportunity to succeed, but it's not going to be easy, and is going to require maximum participation by everyone. That's the single factor I see as the stumbling block that may prevent this from happening. I hope very much that it does not. In 2016, I'll be 71 years old. What I'll be able to do and how much I'll be able to participate in 2016, I can't say. So, I'm doing all I can this year.