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It's Our Party and We'll Cry If We Want To...! | Coffee Party Radio

Mon, 10/01/2012 - 11:15pm — Coffee Party USA

by Michael Charney

Last week on The Middle Ground we had a number of guests discussing the state of the GOP, and whether it made any sense at all to remain part of the Republican Party. Several spoke on why they had left while others — including me — talked about why we stay and try to change things from within. This week, we're opening up the discussion to Democrats and those who do not belong to any political party.

THE MIDDLE GROUND
with Michael Charney & Eric Byler

Tuesdays at 8 pm ET (5 pm PT) | CLICK HERE for podcast

I'll be joined tonight by Jeanene Louden (host of Thursday's Lunch with Louden) who is subbing for Eric Byler. We'll ask you to call in and answer some tough questions, like:

  1. Are political parties good for the country?
  2. Independents keep growing in number. Why?
  3. Can a third-party candidate ever have an impact other than spoiler?

And, of course, we'll take up any questions YOU want to ask. Join us TONIGHT at 8PM EST/5PM PST on THE MIDDLE GROUND. Call in at 646-929-2495 and tell us how YOU feel about the political parties.  We're looking forward to hearing from all of you!

PS: We are 100 percent people-powered by small contributions and membership dues. That's why we are free to follow the truth where ever it leads us. No oil barons, no partisan operatives, no casino moguls. We're proud of the fact that our average donation is less than $30. Please become a member, and/or help us along when you can.

Moderate Republicans re. Today's GOP: "Should I stay or should I go?" 


THE MIDDLE GROUND
with Michael Charney & Eric Byler
Tuesdays at 8 pm ET (5 pm PT) | Click here for podcast

by Eric Byler

We are proud of the fact that the Coffee Party is a gathering place for former Republicans and questioning Republicans who put the facts first when looking at important issues. One of my primary goals as a Coffee Party leader is to create a "safe environment" where no one is bullied or rejected because of their beliefs, cultural background, or upbringing.  There are, unfortunately, some in our community who are distrustful and even hateful toward Republicans, but, many moderate Republicans have told me that the Coffee Party community is the one where "we are least abused."  Let's see if we can improve on that.  

Our Tuesday Sept. 25th presentation of The Middle Ground (8 to 9:30 pm ET) will be dedicated to current and former Republicans who are unhappy with the extreme elements of their party. D.R. Tucker is a freelance writer and conservative thought-leader who strongly opposed Massachusetts Gov. Duvall Patrick, then had a change of heart and recently explained his decision to vote for President Obama in his essay "Breaking Away."  Alanna Almeda is a life-long Republican, a blogger and a stay-at-home mom in Prince William County, VA best know for standing up against her party on the issue of immigration.  Lacy Ward Jr. is a former Republican nominee for the Alabama House of Delegates, and staffer for two Virginia Congressmen who has been critical of President Obama's approach to education. And, Hal Ziegler is a former Republican State Senator from the state of Michigan.

The topic of the show was inspired by a recent essay on the environment by former Delaware Republican Party officer Michael Stafford, a long-time Coffee Party contributor and now a syndicated columnist.  Mr. Stafford will join us to discuss issues like immigration, climate change, and tax policy, as well as attitudes and tactics that have caused him to leave the GOP. We'll also be joined by moderate Republicans who remain with the party for the same noble reason that Mr. Stafford made the video above during the height of the 2011 Debt Ceiling Crisis, hoping to create grassroots support for moderate Republicans to counter Fox News & the Tea Party. Our show's focus for the evening will be a question that is a painful and difficult one for moderates across the U.S. who feel isolated in today's GOP: Why Remain a Republican?

The hosts of The Middle Ground include moderate Republican Michael Charney, and filmmaker and registered Independent Eric Byler (me).  Both of us have a track record of reaching across the aisle. Michael Charney has decided to remain a Republican in order to fight for the soul of the party. Michael Stafford fought that fight for years but has given up and become an Independent who is very critical (as Charney has been at times) of the Mitt Romney campaign.
 
I believe that principled, moderate Republicans are the "Most Valuable Players in American politics today."  It's a lesson I learned during the making of 9500 Liberty, and have applied in the creation of the Coffee Party.  Many of the heroes of 9500 Liberty are courageous Republicans who broke with their party to stand up to extremism on the issue of immigration (see video below featuring Mrs. Almeda).  In fact, it is 9500 Liberty that first brought me together with Mr. Stafford and helped to introduce the Coffee Party to Mr. Charney.
 
Presented by Coffee Party USA, "The Middle Ground" covers a variety of topics on both the left and right sides of the political spectrum, but always with an eye to finding the place where both sides share that 'middle ground.' Co-hosted by award-winning filmmaker Eric Byler and political author Michael Charney, the show airs every Tuesday 8-9 PM EST/5-6 PM PST. 
 

 



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