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The Kennedy way of grief
Is the clan's Irish stoicism linked to its history of alcoholism, risk-taking and self-destruction?
By Joan Walsh
[07/22/99]

It could have been me
John F. Kennedy Jr. didn't make any serious judgment errors in his decision to fly to Martha's Vineyard on Friday night.
By Phaedra Hise
[07/22/99]

What's in a name?
Upon the death of the scion of America's greatest political dynasty, a quick survey of American politics reminds us how much it helps to have a famous name.
By Bruce Shapiro
[07/21/99]

The Texas way of death
George W. Bush is subpoenaed over the alleged special treatment of a funeral-home mogul who's a big campaign contributor.
By Robert Bryce
[07/21/99]

Social absurdity
The push to entrust the rapacious financial industry with our Social Security money is being led by a former advisor to murderous Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.
By Ian Williams
[07/20/99]

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With the Reform party's recent success across the nation, highlighted by the election of Jesse Ventura to the governorship of Minnesota last November and the prospect of $13 million in federal matching funds, the upcoming presidential election may be the party's first legitimate chance to win the White House. At the least, the Reform Party may yet again add some flavor to a presidential race that, up to now, has been as exciting as Melba toast.

While party founder Ross Perot remains coy about his plans for 2000, he is still a force to be reckoned with within the Reform Party. Meanwhile, Ventura's candidate of choice appears to be former Connecticut Gov. Lowell Weicker. The two met for three hours in New York City last month to discuss the possibilities of a presidential run. On CNN's "Late Edition" last week, Ventura spoke of their meeting. "I thought that Lowell would be a good national candidate for us to step forward with. I think on the national level, we need to come forward with somebody with some name recognition." Both men have avoided firm answers on the subject ever since. In an interview with Salon News, Weicker said he thinks Ventura "is a fine man. What you see is what you get." Despite this mutual love-fest, Weicker is not scheduled to speak at this weekend's Reform Party National Convention in Dearborn, Mich., and says he is still not sure if he will even attend.

But whether he's there or not, Weicker will loom large as subtext as the rowdy bunch of political malcontents known fondly as the Reform Party gathers in Dearborn. In recent months, a vital split among warring tribes of megalomaniacs, led by generals Perot and Ventura respectively, has divided the Reform Party. This weekend's convention will be a crucial test for Reformers as a viable political force, as the "party of none of the above" struggles to find an identity.

It is well known that Perot, father of the Reform Party and two-time presidential nominee, refuses to acknowledge the recent success of Ventura. The Texas chapter of the Reform Party has blasted Ventura for courting Weicker, commenting in their Saturday message, "It is not Gov. Ventura's place to tell the members of the Reform party whom they should select as candidates."

Tension between the Perot and Ventura wings has been widely suggested as the reason Russell Verney, current chairman of the Reform Party and Perot loyalist, will step down from his position after the party's national convention. But Doug Friedline, campaign manager to Ventura and president of Ventura for Minnesota, explained that the governor's recent outspoken leadership is not an attempt at a power grab.

"The governor wants to stick together, to unify the party," Friedline said. "He respects Mr. Perot. Without Ross Perot the Reform party would not be here today ... But the governor wants a new candidate for the presidential election. He wants a credible candidate who will be a major force in 2000."

Verney admits not knowing much about Weicker's background and points out that Perot "has not made a statement," in regard to his plans in 2000. The current chairman said that whoever runs as the Reform candidate "will need to review the party platform and endorse the party platform. Then he will need to present his skills, experience and vision to the party members over the next few months."

Verney went on to add that "the candidate will have to have principle, integrity and pledge to tell the public the truth," and be a strong advocate for government reform.

So is Weicker up to the run? That is the question of the moment. There's no exploratory committee, no FEC filings, no Web site -- yet. But Weicker certainly speaks in generalities fitting of a top-notch presidential contender. "To be successful on the national level, a third-party candidate must be a centrist and have a wide appeal, addressing many issues -- the broad spectrum, not just one issue. Once established, the third party would produce true competition, resulting in ideas and actions far superior to those in government today."

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