"Several blogs, including Powerline, previously documented that while running for the Illinois state Senate in 1996 as a Democrat, Obama actively sought and received the endorsement of the socialist-oriented New Party, with some blogs claiming Obama was a member of the controversial party. Barack Obama pictured in New Party publication (Courtesy New Zeal blog) Obama's "Fight the Smears" website claimed the presidential candidate was never a member of the New Party. But the New Zeal blog dug up print copies of the New Party News, the party's official newspaper, which show Obama posing with New Party leaders, list him as a New Party member and include quotes from him." - NoahDavidSimon from Bookmarklet

Oy vey, here we go with the socialist thing again. the New Party has nothing to do with Socialism. Their focus is on Fusion voting - method of voting that allows minor parties to have their own ballot line with which they can either endorse their own candidates or endorse the candidates of other parties. Through fusion, minor parties don't have to always compete in the winner-take-all two party system and can avoid "spoiling" - throwing an election to the most conservative candidate by splitting the votes that might go to two more progressive candidates - Maria

Socialism is a system of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy. Obama has never said, and I don't believe would ever want, the government controlling means of production. Government assistance financially and with health care, and some regulation for fair business practice is what he has in mind. But ending free trade? I think not. - Maria