The third parties keep on chugging along.....

[poltr1]

Even though the media have been focusing on the Big Two, there are still planty of other political choices out there, even though they have a snowball's chance in hell of winning.

The Libertarians had their convention already. And for their candidate, they picked......Bob Barr. Yes, that Bob Barr. Former conservative congressman from Georgia.

My take on this: It appears that people who are currently disgusted and/or disenfranchised by the Republican Party will vote Libertarian. This includes the card-carrying members of the Religious Reich. That doesn't sit well with me. While libertarians are for personal liberty, I believe that that liberty should extend to areas that conservatives won't tread: a woman's right to choose, the right for gays and lesbians to marry, the freedom to practice *any* religion (even no religion). Yes, I'm a social liberal, but at the same time, I'm a fiscal conservative.

I don't think I'll be voting Libertarian this year. Thanks but no thanks.

Meanwhile, the Natural Law Party has packed up its tent and folded national operations. Statewide opeations stil continue. Their last candidate, Dr. John Hagelin, has been promoting a US Peace Government. Others have worked on forming a Department of Peace.

The Green Party has their national convention next month.

Oh yeah. And Ralph Nader is still in the running as an independent....I think.

Comments

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

yeah, I was pretty disappointed by the LP's choice of candidate, too. Unless he's got a hidden personal-liberties streak somewhere that I don't know about.

[zorya-thinks.livejournal.com]

Unless they do a very active petition drive there probably won't be a Green on the Ohio ballot for president. I don't think they had a presidential candidate on the 2004 ballot, either.

I have been an advocate for more choices/parties for years, but I don't see the big 2 being augmented or displaced any time soon.

[poltr1]

Same here. As long as the Big Two are in power, they'll do anything they can to keep it that way.

Some time ago, while talking with John Eastman, he told me about a conversation with a major newspaper's editor (or editor-in-chief) who was dead-set against giving any third party or candidates any publicity because he (the editor) felt it would only confuse the public. I wish I had better recall on this. It's a fascinating anecdote.

Vote Green!

[urban-terrorist.livejournal.com]

I do. I know that they are not likely to win the next Canadian election, but it's a matter of principal. I used to vote strategically, but not any more. Strategic voting means holding your nose when you vote so that the stench doesn't make you puke.

No more. I'm voting for who I think will do the best, and I'm enjoying watching their share of the popular vote rise every year.