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SALT LAKE CITY -- Former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson has accepted the nomination by the Justice Party for his candidacy for president of the United States.
Anderson acknowledged it is the longest of long shots, but is sounding a familiar theme in the 2012 race: the system needs fundamental change.
Anderson is clearly tapping into a high level of anger and frustration. It was perhaps first voiced by the Tea Party, but it continues to shake the political system -- and shape the debate.
Anderson, once a Democrat who was elected to two terms as Salt Lake's mayor, is now running as a third-party presidential candidate.
He told supporters the political system is corrupted by money and lacks the courage to reduce the budget deficit or our dependence on oil.
"Business as usual in American politics is a recipe for national decline," Anderson said. "The American political system does not need blowing up, it needs shaking up; it needs political shock therapy."
The American political system does not need blowing up, it needs shaking up; it needs political shock therapy.
–Rocky Anderson
Similar comments were heard at the New Hampshire primary last week outside official events for GOP candidates. Occupy protesters, backers of Ron Paul and those drumming up support for other third parties all joined the conversation.
"It's all coalescing into a pretty big storm," said Ryan Kuch, a Ron Paul supporter. "Ron Paul will hopefully be able to turn the ship around. It doesn't look like any other politicians are serious about doing that."
A similar frustration is coming through in mocking terms from TV comedian Stephen Colbert, who is toying with running for president himself.
"Really, who is the option," he said. "Everyone in the Republican field has already had their moment in the sun."
Back at the Anderson campaign kickoff, they're collecting the 2000 signatures they'd need to be on the 2012 ballot. It's a tall order, but supporters say grassroots is the only way to real change.
"I believe everybody in the country knows that money in politics, and the corruption that's going on, is a common occurrence and they're sick of it," said Steve Szykula,an Anderson supporter. "They're sick of it and they want and need someone to represent them."
