Music in politics, sceptical experts: The American Party is unlikely to really affect Congress

Would you like a new political party? You're going to have it! American Party.

Analysis of The Guardian:

The richest man in the world has never concealed the tendency for sensational statements. In this case, he described the United States as a bankrupt bribery and abuse system where democracy, according to him, has lost its way. We live in a one-party system, not a democracy. Today, the American Party is formed to return your freedom,”said Musk.

The ambition is clear: a real alternative to Democrats and Republicans, a new formation intended to interfere with legislative decision-making by competing for several key seats in the Senate and the House of Representatives. Musk believes that it is enough to catch several seats in Congress to have a decisive impact on the most controversial laws.

But experts are skeptical. Bernard Tamas, professor of political science at Waldosta State University and author of the book “Death and Renaissance of the Third American parties”, sees the initiative as a desperate and desperate attempt at failure. “at this moment, there is no evidence that a third party can actually win seats in Congress, much less have influence on politics,” he says.

Tamas points out that it is not only the money that makes Democrats and Republicans so powerful that it's decades of structure, a network of consultants, campaign machines and media connections that cannot be imitated through a political startup, however charismatic its founder is.

The very way in which the American Party's idea arose increases doubts. After the public clash with Donald Trump, Musk seemed to react with more momentum than vision. Like many ideas generated by anger, this too seems to be making a move. “americaparty web site.com” results in a record of someone else who now offers it for sale at an amazing price of $6.9 million. Even the @AmericanaParty account on the X platform owned by Musk himself was busy, forcing the party to use an alternative name.

Apart from a rhetoric against public debt growth and corruption, there are still no clear political platforms, no manifestations and no concrete legislative project. What does this party represent? Who are the candidates? What attitudes do they have? Until now, just silence.

Historically, third US parties have not succeeded in taking power, but have managed to influence public debate by putting important issues on the agenda and putting pressure on two major parties. Tamas cites the Progressive Party in Wisconsin and that of farmers and workers in Minnesota as examples that have really changed state policies, without having to take the majority.

But Musk gives no indication that it requires this kind of influence. His ambition seems bigger but even more empty.

If history serves as a lesson, it is clear that to succeed, a third party must have clear positions, a patiently built structure and a real link to the electoral base. Andrew's Forward Party Yang, with the motto “not left. Not right. Before”, there is a clear example of the excitement that fades rapidly. Today, it barely exists in political discourse, despite social networking efforts where engagement is minimal.

Polls show Americans want a third party, but there is a huge gap between desire and real support. In a survey conducted on Musk's social networks, only 65% of followers voiced pro-creature of the party, a poor result taking into account its loyal audience. Another broader poll showed that only 14% of voters would really support this party.

The most fundamental problem for the American Party is the image of Elon Musk himself. He is an increasingly polarizing personality. According to a recent poll, 60% of Americans have a negative opinion of him, while only 32% are positive. He is also surrounded by less controversial advisers such as Curtis Yarvin, a right-wing blogger who has proposed that the US be led by an authoritarian CEO instead of a democratic system.

Elon Musk said: “America will have a third party.” But the question that comes up naturally is, does America want a third party that looks like this? With this kind of direction, with these turbulent ambitions and such a divisive figure at the top?

So far, the American Party looks more like a personal project than a serious political movement. And in politics, especially in a system like that American, the path from idea to reality is much longer and harder than a social networking post suggests. /Periscopi/