Why do smaller parties run in elections?

Question

Im curious as to why smaller parties run in Presedential Elections when they are only going to win .1% of the votes. On local or even state I can see why as it helps your policitcal career or whatever. But on a presidential run do these parties do it to enhance their political careers or are their other benifits or are they simply running because they can and believe that doing somethin is better than nothing. ? thanks,

Answer 1

Out of frustration over the lack of clear choices, or to espouse some bizarre views (like George Wallace) or for sheer ego (Ross Perot). And too, if they can get a little chunk of the vote they can share in the election funds that are raised from tax monies. A true third or new party will have to come from some movement that occurs across a couple of states and grows into a larger movement. The major parties are wastelands and in truth the Repubs have won more lately because they have come off as being more moderate than Dems who are now eating themselves as they always do when they show some kind of rally. There are states, and localities, that have strong small parties. In WV the Mountain Party shows some activity but so far has only run wackos. In Minnesota voters have elected an Independent as Gov, Jess Ventura and just recently a Muslim to Congress. People would like a choice but the major parties have such a stranglehold on money and media that its pretty hard. Would have to a great grassroots effort for sure. There was a serious 3rd Party in the 70's that ran a moderate Republican Congressman named John Anderson that was pretty strong but he did not stay around afterwards and try to build the party for the next campaign. For now I think national 3rd party candidates are just nut jobs and runaway egos and they tend to discredit any serious 3rd party that wants to upset this mess we have now.

Answer 2

Some do it because they want to hold a stance on some specific issue. Some do it because they want to give voters an alternative choice. Some do it because they want to make a statement. Some do it because they can. We may think them running is pointless, since the last successful third party was the Republican Party in 1860, but hey, if they didn't run, would we have had the debacle of the 2000 election?

Answer 3

Because a smaller party, such as a candidate from the Green Party, could actually influence an election by several hundred to several thousand votes. This could cause a candidate from a main party to win or lose an election. (popular vote).

Answer 4

Generally, I think it is out of frustration with current choices and issues and perhaps to make a point. A third party could be a spoiler for some, look at Ross Perot.

Answer 5

They are just trying to stop the political control of America by an elite group of very rich politicians that consists of democrats and republicans. It is hard for Americans to see that they have been politically lulled to sleep by this elite group. Americans will not wake up politically until it is to late too make changes. Babylon your throne fall down!