Independence Party of New York

* To elevate the voters of New York State to their rightful place as the sovereign rulers of the state, reducing the office holders to the servants of the people they were intended to be;

* To create a statewide political party committed to the elimination of the electoral advantages of incumbency and the creation of a level playing field for the candidates of all political parties;

* To restore fiscally responsible government, where the state budgets to spend only what the voters are willing to pay in taxes;

* To create a political party committed to the highest standards of quality in every aspect of the party -- representation, organization, campaigning, elections, fund raising, and participation;

* To encourage voter participation and involvement, both in the party itself and in the political process as a whole.

The quality of a democracy is measured by the quality of participation by ordinary citizens. Democratic values and attitudes are learned through participation, and the highest calling of a citizen is to serve his or her fellow citizens in office as a position of trust, enjoying the bonds of affection with the voters for their willingness to sacrifice through public service. Our political party is committed to every aspect of this participation, whether in our party or in other political parties and organizations. We are thereby committed to choice in elections, volunteerism within the parties, and citizens who are willing to serve us as elected officials. We are equally committed to honest debate, the forthright presentation of our values, and respect for the rights of everyone.

IP America (1)

Independence Party of America Frank MacKay Elected National Chair
visit the new website: www.independencepartyofamerica.com [More | Link]

Latest news (3)

Draft the Donald! Campaign Effort Begins By Associated Press February 28, 2006
ALBANY, N.Y. --The head of New York's Independence Party has launched a Web site aiming to draft Donald Trump into the 2008 presidential race as a third-party candidate.

Party Chairman Frank MacKay says he recently met with Trump to tell him about the draft plan. MacKay says the mega-developer was flattered and intrigued by the idea but noncommittal about running for president.

Trump considered a third-party run for the White House six years ago as the candidate of the Ross Perot-inspired Reform Party, but eventually decided against it.

MacKay's Web site is http://www.donaldtrump2008.com

MacKay says it's up to him and other activists to convince Trump to run. He says Trump looks and sounds more presidential than Perot -- and needs no introduction to the American public. [More | Link]

Tom Golisano's message to the Independence Party
September 18, 2005

Dear Friends:

When I worked with many of you to form the New York Independence Party we viewed it as a vehicle for positive change, reform and tolerance.

In recent months the Party has come under unfair criticism because of the outrageous and distasteful comments of Lenora Fulani regarding Jewish people and Israel. These comments have been compounded by her additional views that the United States is responsible for the attacks of 9-11.

As you all know these views in no way reflect the platform and beliefs of the Independence Party and serve as a distraction from the Party's efforts to support candidates who are committed to real reform of New York State's dysfunctional government.

I commend Chairman Frank MacKay and members of the State Committee for seeking to address this very serious problem in your deliberations today.

With best wishes to all the members of the Committee.

B. Thomas Golisano

[More | Link]

President Trump? BY RICK BRAND NY NEWSDAY February 28, 2006
MacKay said he is "absolutely committed" to Trump and "an army of volunteers would embrace him" if he decides to go for president. "This would be a very serious candidacy," said MacKay. "He's got a hell of a shot at succeeding."

A Trump spokeswoman said that The Donald "knows nothing" about the Web site, but said Trump describes MacKay "as a friend of his." In 1999, another political operative, Roger Stone -- who acknowledges having once taken part in dirty tricks for Richard Nixon -- tried to launch a Trump exploratory committee for president, but it went nowhere.

The Web site -- http://www.donaldtrump2008.com -- includes pictures of Trump and a message from MacKay saying, "America needs a decisive CEO-style president to straighten out Washington, not another politician." Citing the "catastrophic" foulups following Hurricane Katrina, the message states: "Wouldn't you trust Trump to get the job done? Could you imagine Trump tolerating the inefficiencies that caused $5 million worth of mobile homes, destined for hurricane victims, to rot in parking lots in Hope, Arkansas? Someone needs to shout, 'You're fired.' "

The minor party leader said Trump would make a far stronger candidate than did Ross Perot, the Texas business tycoon, who garnered 19 percent in the 1992 because Trump and his no-nonsense management style has been cemented in Americans' minds for three decades. Only last week, Trump made headlines blaming Martha Stewart for the failure of a spinoff of his successful "Apprentice" TV show.

"My job is to get an absolutely foolproof ballot access plan," said MacKay. He said he will travel in the next few weeks to Texas and Oklahoma, two states with some of the toughest ballot access rules, and reach out for activists still with the Reform Party, the party that Perot used to make his run. He said he does "not expect money to be a problem" in a potential Trump campaign, and he is not doing any immediate fundraising.

MacKay first mentioned a possible presidential bid when Trump's name surfaced as a possible Republican candidate for New York governor two months ago.

MacKay's Web site surfaces hours before the new season for Trump's "The Apprentice" premiered last night, but MacKay denied a connection -- and brushed aside the idea Trump might use his candidacy for a new reality TV show. "You'd have to ask Mark Burnett about that," he said, referring to Trump's TV producer.

Noah Butensky, a Democratic campaign consultant, said he doubted Trump would have any real interest in a presidential run. "Perhaps this is Donald's own apprenticeship," he said. [More | Link]

Message from the Chairman:

The quality of a democracy is measured by the quality of participation by ordinary citizens. Democratic values and attitudes are learned through participation, and the highest calling of a citizen is to serve his or her fellow citizens in office as a position of trust, enjoying the bonds of affection with the voters for their willingness to sacrifice through public service.