A Magic Message . . . for Republicans?
The GOP Should Study Laurence Fox's London Mayoral Campaign Messaging
America has become increasingly ripe for a third party, led by an independent and charismatic figure with the right message for these times.
No one has come along. Third, fourth, and even fifth parties have been a part of our landscape for most of our existence. Abraham Lincoln in 1860 defeated 3 opponents, including the man who defeated him for US Senate just two year previously, Illinois’ Stephen Douglas. Harry Truman in 1948 defeated not only Republican Tom Dewey, but a “States Rights” Party Dixiecrat named Strom Thurmond. Richard Nixon in 1968 and Bill Clinton in both 1992 and 1996 won in part thanks to third party candidates (George Wallace and Ross Perot, respectively) who split the opposition vote. Perot’s 1992 share of the vote, 19%, remains the best performance by a third party ticket in American history, despite winning zero electoral votes, unlike Thurmond and Wallace.
But actor Laurence Fox may have come along in the city of London at the right time, post pandemic with severe and repeated lockdown policies that rival any US state or city. Sounds libertarian, but without the loony devolution into drug legalization and other weird foibles that libertarians always seem to stumble over.
You are likely to recognize actor Laurence Fox. I remember him mostly for playing Lord Palmerston, one of Great Britain’s most famous Prime Ministers, in the great PBS series, “Victoria,” Season 3. He heads a "Reclaim Party" ticket and is running for Mayor of London. If he is successful, I suspect he will not stop there.
This is superb messaging for any Republicans (or independents, perhaps) running for state or federal office in 2021 or 2022, especially in states led by pro-lockdown Democratic governors that have lost jobs, businesses, and freedoms most of us take for granted, especially in places like Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, and even Virginia and New Jersey, both of which have elections in November. And perhaps especially, California. Wow, I can see this playing really, really well there.
Cautionary note. This is just his introduction video. There’s more meat on the bones he will inevitably have to add. But this is a terrific introduction. This is a campaign to watch. It would be delicious to see the execrable Sadiq Khan be deposed as Mayor of one of the world’s great cities.
Watch and listen. It's only 2 minutes. You'll watch it again.
ADDENDUM: For more on Laurence Fox, this interview provides terrific context and background on him and his candidacy. Kudos to Hudson’s Peter Robinson and Ricochet.com for this.