You, too, can decide to be a mugwump

“History never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme.” - Mark Twain

Historically speaking, what happened in our recent primary elections rhymes...with mugwump.

The mugwumps, who came from every party and economic class, were not an organized party. Some historians credit them with tipping the White House to Cleveland in 1884 by only around one thousand votes.

I am a mugwump. I registered as a Republican in name only (“a rose by any other name...”), to vote against extremists, so that our choices in November would include fewer extremists. Were moderates successful? Partially. Jim Woodward, lost to an extremist with enough money and spite to out-mailer Jim. On the other hand Mark Sauter will run for District One state Rep, a seat formerly held by an extremist.

You can be a mugwump, too. Vote for less partisanship and more compromise. You don’t need a button, hat or t-shirt to vote, you don’t have to make any donations or give away your privacy—just get registered, anyhow you like. In November vote for anyone you like, doesn’t have to be a member of your party. It’s our right as Americans.

In Idaho, 21st century mugwumps have already broken legislative stalemates, over healthcare, for example, by putting medicaid expansion on the ballot and passing it. This fall, let’s pass funding public schools by voting for another citizens initiative. No party affiliation required.

“Mugwump” was a slur, not chosen by the mugwumps themselves. I chose to call myself one, because I like the way it rhymes.

NANCY “ROSE” GERTH

Sagle