User:LizArchive/Progressive Party

The Progressive Party was one of three major contemporary parties in the United States, along with its rivals, the New Republican Party, and the Farmer Labor Party. It was founded by Robert F. Kennedy in 1984 as the Liberal Party, but quickly took a different direction under important party figure and first Chairman Nathan P. Zandstra.

After Zandstra took power, the party rapidly grew into a viable, more centrist alternative to the Social Democrats. Starting from when the Progressives first gained control of the House in 1988 - and the defeat of Nathan Zandstra in favour of 24 year old reformist Jason Holden - the golden age of the party was a time of immense success in House, Senate, and Presidential elections for over a decade. This golden age is widely considered to have ended in 2000, when the Progressives lost the House plurality to the Farmer Laborists for the first time in 12 years. After this crushing defeat, the party lost a significant portion of its members, and slowly declined until it was dissolved in 2011. The last Chairperson of the Progressive Party was Daniel Lorenzo who served from 2004 to 2011.

The party generally supported liberal economic and social policies. The party was a centre-left, liberal party that favored social progress and opportunity. The party followed the New Square Deal, established by Nathan Zandstra, consisting of Environmental Conservation, Consumer Protection, and Corporation Control. It was considered to be to the left of the New Republican Party, but to the right of the Social Democratic Party. Prior to 1985, the party was known as the Bull Moose Party.

The Progressive Party nominated Zandstra for President in 1984 and 1988, Ossoff Posting in 1992, Bill Clinton in 1996, and Jason Holden in 2000 - with Clinton winning the first Presidency for the party. The Progressives did not nominate any candidates in 2004 and 2008. Other notable Progressives include former Speaker of the House Jason Holden and former Governor of Albany Daniel Lorenzo.

The party was abolished after the 2010 midterms, on January 26, 2011.

Internal incidents of 1988
During the prelude to the general election of 1988, conflict arose inside the Party Board about the nomination and therefore endorsement of Nathan Zandstra. Prominent board member and Vice-Presidential nominee to the winning ticket, Logan Kane, along with board member and later Presidential nominee for 1996, Bill Clinton, proposed endorsing the New Republican nominee, Storm Kennedy.

Even though the proposal was eventually shut down, by the party as well as the FEC, the board still broke down into discussion, leading to the termination of Vice Chairperson Jason Holden and board member Logan Kane by Chairman Zandstra. Due to unclear rules, the legitimacy of the move is still questioned.

The incidents caused major structure reforms within the party, with Chairperson Jason Holden introducing new standing orders to clearly outline party structure and hierarchy, and the powers of the different positions.

Decline and Dissolution
After the party's poor performance in the 2004 general election, many wondered what the future course of action the new chair Daniel Lorenzo would take. Lorenzo himself was unsure of what to do, especially with declining membership, minimal activity, and no vice chair. After another crushing defeat in 2008, and with many prominent members leaving to other parties, Lorenzo decided that the party would dissolve on January 1, 2011.

The FEC approved the decision shortly after the announcement was made, paving the way for a permanent shutdown of all activities and membership.

On January 26, 2011 the shutdown took effect.