Third Party candidates in 2006

[Walt Starr]

I felt compelled to write this post after reading two threads, one about a pro-choice Independent candidate for the Senate in Pennsylvania and another about an anti-war Green Party candidate for the Senate in Washington.

Now it should be expected by Democrats in all important and competitive races where there is a vacuum related to a core Democratic Party principle, that a third party candidate will emerge who fills that void. It is only right and natural in a competitive Senate campaign where both the Democratic and Republican candidates are anti-choice, that a liberal third party pro-choice candidate will emerge to fill the vacuum left by the obvious deviation from the core Democratic principle of being pro-choice.

The same holds true in a competitive Senate race where both major party candidates are pro-Iraq-war.

The key to any Democratic victory in these states will be to push those core Republican values that are not represented by the Republican candidate. In both cases, since Bush is the poster child for the Republican Party, there must be concentrated questions raised about smaller, less intrusive federal government with a balanced budget and less spending. Concentrating on the vacuum left in these core Republican values will tilt the balance, and could even prompt a conservative third party candidacy based upon these core Republican values to emerge in these races.

Or then again, since I'm just a lousy, stupid, traitor Independent ( so what do I know), it could be easier for Democrats to just whine about the democratic process where any party must be allowed to field a candidate in a race, and let the core Republican values that are in a vacuum nationwide to be left unfilled.

:shrug:

[Warpy]

1. Walt, I can't vote for my "Democratic" Senator this time

because the man has sold me out on too many vital issues. I'll be voting Green this time.

Yeah, I know, a pubbie will likely take the office since the state party hasn't found anybody to challenge the wimp. I'll be contributing to the pubbie's early retirement in 2014.

However, between a pubbie who will be disgraced quickly and a Democrat who keeps stabbing me in the back, the choice seems like a clear one: send a message to the party that they can't abandon their core principles or their base and expect to win anything.

I hold no illusion that the Greens (the only third party in this state) will win.

[SaveElmer]

2. I will not vote for a third party candidate...

Under any circumstance!!!

[Walt Starr]

10. So what does that have to do with the OP? n/t

[Coastie for Truth]

3. I played in Pennsylvania politics and was elected to two terms

Knowing how the Richard Mellon Scaife organization operates, I will bet a case of Iron City --- and a case of "Fothingslosh Pale Stale Ale with the Foam on the Bottom" that more of the funding then most people realize for the "pro-choice Independent candidate for the Senate in Pennsylvania" comes from good old Ligonier PA.

I've seen it.

My experience - usually a third party candidate is funded (under the table) by a potentially losing major candidate.

[depakid]

4. Political science 101

Piss off your base, leave a vacuum and someone will fill it....

That's how third partys have gotten votes throughout American history. Unfortunately, it looks like a lot of Dems didn't learn from earlier experiences.... wish it wasn't that way.

[Cascadian]

5. I am voting Democratic in the primaries.

I hope that Mark Wilson will send Maria Cantwell home in the primaries and then I will have a good excuse to vote Democratic in the November elections. If it's Cantwell, then I will go third party. Cantwell has let me down too damn much to earn my vote.


John

[Clarkansas]

6. Repentant Nader voter here. I learned my lesson in 2000.

I don't understand how anyone could pass up the opportunity to defeat Santorum.

[radio4progressives]

7. Bill Mahr Show Tonight a Republican Guest said there are "Nine Parties"

that exist between the Democratic and Republican parties right now.

Bill suggested there was only one party, and we know that's how many of us feel - but an interesting point was made - that something is happening that is very different between both parties - major shifts and splits are occuring that hasn't ocurred in decades..

Which suggests to me that the Third Party factor is likely to explode on the scene in a very major way in 2008. the level of disgust, disaffection, disenfrachisment and anguish is on a level i haven't ever seen in my lifetime. The divisions are not the same as it was in the 60's. It not just about "pro-war" or "anti-war" like it essentially was in the 60's and early 70's. This time the issues go straight to the core of the Constitution itself - and that along with "social genocide" of the elderly, the wage earners/working class, and the poor, are going to be THE issues i think the majority of the voters will be seeking leadership on and not just the usual lip service.

So it will be interesting.. i think people who are looking at our political system funcitoning in the usual manner are going to be in for a huge shock. I think there will be some big surprises, despite the tight party controls and perception manipulation by the CM.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. I've said it many a times

the country is ready for a third party... it is... the 1870s all over again...

But people who look at this traditionally cannot see it...

Hell after a major talk with a FORMER democratic party activist... who reached the same conclusion.... we are due for a revolution... now what for that revolution will take is a good question... and the emergence of a STRONG third party, or the replacement of one of the two major parties, would fit the definition just as well.

It is gonna be interesting... and for god sakes I did NOT want to live in interesting times

[leanin_green]

8. The current slate of Dems leaves me no choice but to look elsewhere.

I live in a very red state and even the Dems don't look attractive to me. I voted Dem the last election and felt my vote was thrown away. I see no problem with looking at other candidates from other parties in a state that could use a true liberal voice besides the Republite voice that passes for the Dem voice now.

[Skinner]

11. Locking

I know that you know why, because you sent me a private message telling me that you were deliberately breaking the rules.