SINCE IT WON'T MATTER ANYWAYS.

Politics1 ^ | 7/24/03 | Ron Gunzburger

[Impy]

A Politics1 exclusive: Not that the Socialist Workers Party Presidential ticket for 2004 would ever be in contention to capture the White House ... but they've just nominated a national ticket that is entirely ineligible under the US Constitution to be elected. Why? Because Presidential nominee Martin Koppel is an Australian-born, naturalized US citizen ... and because VP nominee Arrin Hawkins is only in her twenties and is far too young to meet the minimum age requirement. This may also cause some problems with ballot access, likely forcing the SWP to use substitute nominees on some state ballots (just as they did in 1972, when they nominated an underage Presidential candidate). The SWP is a hardline, old Soviet-style communist party that now warmly praises the authoritarian government of Cuba's Fidel Castro.

[Impy]

Don't they have anything better to do, like picking their noses? (skakes head and chuckles)

[fieldmarshaldj]

Now there's a party my half-sis would go for... :-|

[Abram]

This party siphons off a few votes that would probably go for the Democrats candidate much like the Constitution Party Siphons off votes that would probably go for the Republican candidate. Frindge parties such as this have a place in politics as they allow single (or few issues) to eventually be incorporated into the major parties platforms (or at least be addressed).

I have a friend who lives in Utah. As Utah is very reliably Republican, he often votes for the candidate of the U.S. TaxPayer's Party as he feels that the Republicans have not done enough in the past to cut taxes and spend responsibly...so as it won't swing the state to the Ds...he makes a statement vote. He has told me that he wouldn't do it in a swing state as every single vote counts in getting an individual who supports one's issues at least most of the times.

[Impy]

Compared to this party the Constitution Party is a powerhouse.

Although it seems their Florida affiliate got 562 votes in 2000, bless their little hearts.

[Abram]

I agree, but those 562 were enough to swing the election in that state and nationally.

The Socialist Workers, Workers Party, the Communist Party, The Greens, all told siphon off enough votes to make a difference...much like the Constitution, U.S Taxpayers, Reform, Liberterian tend to usually always siphon voters of the right. Okay not all, but overwelmingly, these parties drain right-thinking voters off.

[Commander8]

They're so hard up for candidates they can't find anyone eligible to run.

[EternalVigilance]

Shame.

I could have recommended any number of congressional Democrats who could have filled out their ticket without blinking an eye at their platform...

[Impy]

The U.S Taxpayers Party and the Consitution Party are one and the same, they changed their name from the former to the latter.

[dufekin]

They know the rules. This year, they aren't gonna win. Even if they get a majority of electoral votes (hypotheticaly--it isn't gonna happen, 500 trillion to 1), the election will go to the House because the candidates aren't eligible. Bizarre Constitutional crisis, though, if they get every electoral vote.

[Abram]

This is true on a national level, but it is still referred to in some states as the U.S. TaxPayers Party.

[Abram]

This is true on a national level, but it is still referred to in some states as the U.S. TaxPayers Party.

[just_living]

It is a well documented oddity of electoral trivia that most of the votes siphoned off by the Socialists are from the GOP. Makes no sense to me either. I guess it takes all kinds! LOL.

[weegee]

I don't believe it and see that the results in Florida have convinced the Democrats to strive even harder to get socialists to vote Democrat:

George W. Bush Richard Cheney Republican 2,912,790 48.85% 25
Albert Gore Jr. Joseph Lieberman Democrat 2,912,253 48.84% 0
Ralph Nader Winona LaDuke Green 97,488 1.63% 0
Patrick Buchanan Ezola Foster Reform 17,484 0.29% 0
Harry Browne Art Olivier Libertarian 16,415 0.28% 0
Other - - 6,680

Other includes Socialist Workers Party, Workers World Party, Socialist Party, and the Constitution and Natural Law parties. Someone else may have better data.

Since the difference between Albert Gore Junior and George W. Bush in the "certified" tally (which excluded the court approved overseas ballots) was separated only by hundreds of votes, you mean to tell me that the gap would have been greater for George Bush had the 3 socialist parties (in addition to the Green Party, which we will leave out of this discussion) not run? I can tell you honestly that Al Gore would have taken Florida (unless those voted had just opted to stay home).

[just_living]

I'm not the source, just passing on what I read. I'll try to find the link and I'll post it. One artical was real interesting, but I can't for the life of me remeber what the logic was behind it (LOL) but it sure made sense to me then.
It's a crazy bit of trivia, hard to believe. LOL. Let me find the link. HHTY!

[Impy]

Very hard......

BTW Complete Florida results from the FEC

http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2000/2000presge.htm#FL