The Wedge vs The Mandate
As an independent President, you won't have a mandate so you need a "wedge"
If you win the presidency as an independent, you won’t have a mandate. You’ll most likely finish second or third in the popular vote.
This could lead to four years being stuck on an island. Getting things done with executive orders, but no major legislation.
No matter the size of your electoral college win, you won’t have a mandate. Change is too slow in the house and senate.
So instead of a mandate you need a wedge.
If you’ve read my article about the top 3 electoral college scenarios for independents, you’ll know that there are specific states to target. Within those states, there are specific totals in each congressional district you need to hit. Since you are getting votes in those districts anyways, you might as well get other independents elected to the House and Senate.
With the Senate 51-49 (11 toss up races) and the House 221-212-2 (38 toss up races), there is enough room to introduce a wedge.
A wedge is a small coalition of independents in the Senate and House that hold all the power.
In Congress, the power is held on the margins.
Joe Manchin is the wedge in the Senate because he is on the margin (Dem in conservative state) in a 51-49 senate.
Imagine having 4 independents in Senate and 15 in the House.
They couldn't do anything on their own, but combined with an independent President they would have all the power.
Dems and Republicans would be required to negotiate with the independents for a power sharing agreement in order to get a majority control.
By winning a few races in the Senate and House (where you ar already competing for the Presidency), you can give an independent President immense leverage.
The goal of a wedge is to deprive the Dems and Repubs of a majority. And as long as the independent coalition sticks together (that is a big if), you can demand a lot.
If the Republicans say no, you go to Dems.
If you are really smart, you work with both sides. Abortion, weed, and crypto with Dems. Energy, border, and balanced budget with Republicans.
To ensure the majority doesn't lock you out, as part of the power sharing agreement you put independents as chairs of important committee, you allow any member to bring a bill to the House floor for a vote, and minimize the filibuster as much as possible in the Senate.
Now there is always the scenario where Dems and Repubs can work together, but pigs are also going to fly too some day.
Using the wedge, an independent President can get alot of legislation passed through Congress.
What are the best states for the Senate "wedge" and congressional districts for the House "wedge"?
