Why have politics in this country shifted to the right? Can the shift be reversed? Is a progressive alternative to the two “mainstream” parties possible? Could it ever win a majority? These are some of the questions raised at a forum late last month in New York City called “Progressives and the 1996 elections”

We now bring you some excerpts of that forum featuring Joanne Landy of the Campaign for Peace and Democracy, Micah Sifry of the Nation, Arthur Cheliotes of the Communications Workers of America and founding delegate of the Labor Party, and Ron Daniels, 1992 Independent Presidential Candidate, Chairperson of the Campaign for a New Tomorrow.