Could a Third-Party Candidate Actually Win in 2012?

Washington's Blog ^ | 21 Aug 2009 | Washington's Blog

[perfect_rovian_storm]

You need to get over this blame thing for 2008. There is plenty of blame to go around. If you want to blame someone, how about blaming the idiots who allowed the open primaries that got McCain the nomination? How about blaming the absurd astroturf antics of a certain MA socialist ‘Republican’ candidate for keeping conservatives as divided as possible during the primaries?

Frankly, if there are people who deserve blame, it is those who have sacrificed principle for expediency. They are the reason McCain got nominated, leaving us with a choice between two unacceptable candidates. Blaming people who didn’t do the same for McCain’s loss is nothing more than an attempt to bully others into making that same sacrifice of principle. John McCain was a joke. The debates were a contest to see which one could be more of a socialist. Of course, Obama won that contest hands down. When McCain ‘suspended’ his campaign to go to Washington and shill for that sham of a bailout bill, it was obvious that there was no candidate in that race that represented conservatism or even the American people at all for that matter. While I still voted for McCain, I don’t blame anyone for not voting for McCain after that debacle and you shouldn’t either.

Work to nominate acceptable conservative candidates instead of blaming others for not toeing the RINO line. Here’s a hint: When the best argument to elect your guy is that the other guy sucks a whole lot more, you’ve made the wrong choice and you’re going to lose.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

It is time to stop listening to those who are making a living off trying to destroy Republicans. The truth is we have MANY great conservative Republicans in congress. This is a great, solid foundation on which to build.

Please pay attention to CNBC, FOX and CSPAN to watch the work these brave people are doing. They're doing it in spite of the negativity of people like you and others here on FR who refuse to acknowledge they are doing the very work you claim you want done.

[Tanniker Smith]

Save Sarah Palin,

I'd like to save Sarah Palin, particularly if she were drowning and required mouth-to-mouth resus....
...what were we talking about again?

[Parawan]

“It’s the GOP that is the mystery.”

There is no mystery here. The GOP sold us out, in the last four years, almost as rapidly as the rats are doing it now. I doubt that they realize the Tea Parties are for them as well as Chosen ones and his worshipers.

[GLDNGUN]

The democrats will run Obama again (unless something very odd happens) and he will be looked on as more of the same. If the GOP runs a traditional candidate, he also will be seen as more of the same. That scenario would certainly create an atmosphere in which a 3rd party candidate could get a LOT of attention. Think Ross Perot in 1992. If Perot hadn't been such a flake, he could have potentially won that race.

IF one party of the other were to run a non-traditional candidate - someone who is not part of the DC establishment - someone who the average American feels they can relate with and knows will represent THEM and not special interests, then THAT candidate would stand a great chance of a landslide win.

This is why I truly believe that Sarah Palin is a woman of destiny and will be the GOP nominee in 2012 and elected President. If things continue as they are, there could not possibly be a better environment for her election. It's almost as if she was made for this moment, and this moment made for her.

She came out of "nowhere" in Alaska by tapping into what the people wanted and being one of them. All she has to do is repeat it on a national level.

There might still be a 3rd party candidate(s). In fact, I could see a 4-way race. You could have Palin as the GOP candidate, then some RINO run figuring he'll get a lot of GOP votes from people who can't bring themselves to vote for such an "extremist" like Anderson tried to pull off in 1980. It would have to be someone who can finance his own candidacy - Romney anyone? Obama will be on the dem ticket, and a democrat-lite candidate trying to win the indepedents and "moderates" of both parties could run to Obama's right. This would be another wealthy person who would be liberal on social issues, but claim to be fiscally conservative. Perhaps a Donald Trump or Bill Gates type.

[freebilly]

No....

[mel]

I wouldn’t care if they run Bugs Bunny, I will win for whoever stands the best chance of beating Zero.
I miss Bush and sad to say I even miss Clinton

[wiggen]

not if the candidate was named Hillary.

[norge]

No.

NO.

AND FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE...NOOOOO.

[webschooner]

It’s really something to behold when the moonbat Leftists are upset at the most Leftist president in the country’s history, because he’s not Leftie enuf for them.

I hope the moonbats do go off and start a turd party, but who are they gonna nominate that is to the Left of Zerobama? Will they raise Karl Marx from the grave and prop him up and run him for president? Maybe Pol Pot or Hitler?

[saluki_in_ohio]

I wouldn’t care if they run Bugs Bunny, I will win for whoever stands the best chance of beating Zero.
I miss Bush and sad to say I even miss Clinton.

I'm absolutely not voting for the lesser of two socialists anymore.

[Tublecane]

“I’m absolutely not voting for the lesser of two socialists anymore”

I’m lucky. Living in Minnesota, my presidential vote never counts (outside the state, that is), so i don’t have to worry about contributing to defeat or anything. Besides, I never understood why it is that I have to vote for the guy who wins. I can vote for whoever I want, winner or loser. And since there’s no way a president will ever be elected or not according to my individual vote, what is there to worry about?

[saluki_in_ohio]

It is time to stop listening to those who are making a living off trying to destroy Republicans. The truth is we have MANY great conservative Republicans in congress. This is a great, solid foundation on which to build.

Please pay attention to CNBC, FOX and CSPAN to watch the work these brave people are doing. They're doing it in spite of the negativity of people like you and others here on FR who refuse to acknowledge they are doing the very work you claim you want done.

The RINO liberal sellouts which you seem to admire have betrayed conservatives. Now we have a bunch of Massengill-scented socialist Republicans who claim to be conservative, but are really closet liberals or simply in politics for the graft and lust for power.

Brave Republicans, now that's a good one! If they had a semblance of a spine, we wouldn't be in this mess with a craven socialist running our country down the toilet.

[SoCalPol]

Spot On!

The fool Gerald Calente, who is quoted is an anti war
L Ron Paul follower also of Alex Jones, the 9/11 Truther.

The Third Party Loons are the Democrats best friends.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

I feel sorry for these people. They don't see the good right under their eyes. We have a fantastic group in congress. They're solid on all these issues. What more could any Republican want. It's time for them to wake up. On many of these votes Republicans are voting against the RATs 100 per cent.

I love seeing my congressman, Steve King on CSPAN with his special orders. He's joined by many really great Republicans. They need thanks and encouragement--not scorn.

[SoCalPol]

You are correct.

Here in San Diego three of our five congressmen are
great conservative Republicans:
Marine Capt. and Rep. Duncan Hunter, Brian Bilbray and
Darrell Issa. Issa has a great report on ACORN which he
is exposing in Congress

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

Thanks and exactly!! These people are not that unique in the US House. There are GREAT people there!!