Why a 3rd Party?

Question

I am new to this site and find it interesting that many younger people ask questions about 3rd party Presidential Candidates. The questions I want to pose is why does everyone think a 3rd party candidate will make any difference, especially when the president really does not have that much power?
If a party really wanted to get started don't you think it would be easier to win a few local House and Senate seats and than build from there?
I have never scene a roof built and than the house.

Answer 1

Having been around the fringes of 3rd parties for most of my life (my parents were involved in one or two, and I've been a county chair), I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of the attraction. Third parties are interesting when the two primary parties offer nothing worthwhile. The incentive is to build something better.

But your analogy is perfectly accurate. Really, a successful 3rd party should start not even at the Senate level. Perhaps a few house seats, but mostly at the local level and build upward.

The problem is that there's nothing sexy about that. Everyone wants to participate in a BIG change, and make everything work better overnight. No one wants to do the hard work and put in the years it takes to get there. We want it NOW!

Having said that, I think there's still room for 3rd parties, and I respect people who choose to go that route, even though I've chosen to work primarily within the major parties for the present. However, I'm on the verge of leaving. I can't see myself supporting most of what the Democrats put out, as they seem likely to shut down the economy unless we can get Robert Rubin to come back as Treasury Secretary again. I think he's the only living Democrat who understands economics. On the other hand, 8 years of George Bush has me pretty demoralized about the Republican Party. Nine of the ten at the last debate seem to want more and more war. So, unless the longshot Ron Paul wins the Republican nomination, I may end up voting third party anyway, even if I dont think they'll win. At this point, there doesn't appear to be anyone else talking my language.

Does that explain why people go 3rd party?

Answer 2

If you don't think that a 3rd party candidate can make a difference you need to look back to the Bush-Clinton election. Ross Perot pulled enough Republican voters to essentially hand the Presidency to Clinton. Yes he pulled Democrat voters as well but definitely a larger percentage of the Republican voters went Independant.
If you don't think that the President has much power, I would ask you if you have been living under a rock? The US President is the most powerful single person on the planet. (Maybe the Chinese Premier is more powerful but it is debatable.) The US President is also the most watched and the most critisized.

Answer 3

The Republicans and Democrats are dominating the US politics with minimal choices for the people. Thus, a third party is being entertained to challenge or replace the existing parties.

VOTE for your choice as US President on my 360 degrees blog and know if a third party is needed.

Answer 4

Third Party's are no longer a luxury. Look at the inbred imbeciles the two major party's have been handing us lately.
The idea that they are two seperate party's rather than one Aristocracy is fading fast.

If the choice is Republican or democrat it is no choice.

Answer 5

Well you vote for your 3rd party in all elections... Duh yoour premise is just silly. A 3rd party president would upset alot of things... actually it could be a revolution... Libertarian all the way

Answer 6

because there isn't a gas shortage--there is a refinery shortage