TPP Trouble?

The Franklin Times -

It is never easy to be on top in the political game. When a party is leading, it becomes the target of all attacks. These are troubles the TPP is quickly realizing.

As this election cycle began, the TPP quickly emerged as the front-runner. Developing and spreading a message of political moderation, economic stimulus, equal rights, and political reform, the TPP built a formidable organization. Constructing headquarters throughout the country and holding huge rallies convinced many that this party was willing to compete everywhere. This commitment had a potential reward of racking up a huge political mandate in the upcoming elections. Yet, things now look differently.

The TPP, a party that was running an untouchable and highly disciplined campaign is currently sputtering. Today, the most recent poll numbers by Wallup were released showing some troubling news. For the first time this election the TPP's numbers have slipped. This slipping support, while moderate in its scope, comes after days of stagnate poll numbers. The verdict is still out as to the reasons for this change in political fortunes; but the question still remains: is the TPP heading in the wrong direction?

It is clear that the TPP's current problems are based in both structural changes and tactical mistakes.

The TPP has seemingly designed itself as a center-left party. It would appeal to the left in its energy and civil rights policies, while holding to a moderate and popular stimulus plan. Yet, the TPP has watched as its strength on the left has slipped with the emergence of the FP. In recent weeks the FP has seen tremendous growth in its political support. As its support has grown, the FP is beginning to undermine the voter base of the TPP.

Compounding this issue is the RKP. The RKP is clearly not threatening to steal away voters. The RKP has adopted a very conservative ideology which will not appeal to liberal or many moderate voters, but it currently has conservative voters to itself. No other party has made a challenge for these voters, meaning the RKP is beginning to fully cement its support on the right.

The emerging election's structure is clearly posing challenges, but the TPP has made its current problems worse through a series of tactical mistakes late this week. After championing clean energy technology and environmental protection, Party Leader Chaffins failed to attend the EPC Convention. "We were disappointed with the TPP's absence. It is clear that sometimes it is easier to campaign on an issue, than to actually lay out a plan to those knowledgeable of the issue," state EPC President Eric Greene. Greene added, "It is unlikely the executive council would endorse a party unwilling to speak at the convention." The TPP had seemingly made moves to court this interest group's endorsement, which made its absence bizarre.

Yet, the TPP's absence may be signs of growing message discipline problems. On Friday, while conducting a conference call with reporters, TPP Leader Chaffins was clearly overheard commenting to an aide that he was growing bored with the campaign. It is unclear if Chaffins knew the mic was catching his conversation, but the statement was clearly overheard by several reporters involved in the conference call. This paper doubts many voters will celebrate the fact that the campaign is boring the TPP and does raise questions as to the TPP's governing ability. Can the country afford to vote for a candidate who has grown so bored so quickly?