For those who will inevitably parrot the tired old "you're voting for Obama" line........(((shrug)))
Posted on 04/14/2012 7:08:22 PM PDT by Engraved-on-His-hands
Sorry for the vanity, but, due to the unpleasant situation in which Mitt Romney is the favorite for the Republican Party nomination for President, I thought that exploring other options might be an appropriate topic. While Newt Gingrich is still in the running for the Republican nod, his chances do not appear to be good. Although not giving up entirely on him at this point, I thought that exploring third party options might be helpful as a fallback plan. (Caveat: I am not an expert on the parties discussed.)
There are at least 53 political parties in the United States. Apart from the Democrat and Republican parties, there are three others with occasional minor national significance: the Constitution Party, the Libertarian Party, and the Green Party. Of the remaining 48 parties, there are five that are national parties that have a conservative foundation. For the purpose of this post, I will not look at the libertarian parties, nor will I consider those that are moderate or more left-wing in their views.
Apart from the Constitution Party, the five national conservative parties are the following:
America First Party
America's Party
American Party
Christian Liberty Party
Independent American Party
Of these five, the America First Party, the Christian Liberty Party, and the American Party appear to be either inactive or so miniscule in activity and efforts that they might be considered inactive for all practical purposes. The Independent American Party and America’s Party appear to be the most active. However, I could not find any source indicating that the Independent American Party intends to have a nominee for President in 2012.
This leaves the Constitution Party and America’s Party as the conservative third party options.
The Constitution Party holds its nominating convention this coming Wednesday through Saturday in Nashville. The favorite for the nomination at this point appears to be Virgil Goode, former congressman from Virginia, although there is a good bit of controversy and dissension regarding his nomination.
America’s Party has chosen Tom Hoefling as its nominee. Tom posts on FreeRepublic as Eternal Vigilance. (Note: I have been a long-time fan of Tom’s posts.)
We should have a better grasp of the Constitution Party after their convention in a few days. If they nominate a suitable conservative who can unite their party, their stock should rise. If they fail, whether this provides an opening for an improved status for America’s Party this year remains to be seen.
I am not suggesting that either the Constitution Party or America’s Party will nominate the next President of the United States. However, as an ardent social conservative, I believe that neither the Republicans or Democrats have left social conservatives with a real option this year (assuming that Romney is the Republican nominee instead of Newt). Consider voting for a third party a protest vote if you will. Criticize it if you will. Each of us must do what we think is right and best. I'm not trying to create controversy with this post. I'm just trying to present information to those who might be interested.
Here are the websites for the two primary third party options discussed:
www.constitutionparty.com
www.selfgovernment.us
Thanks.
Third party at this time is no option. It is just a fool’s act of futility. We must get America out of danger first.
Sad to say itm but Third Party = Obama, President for Life.
Not if that candidate is Romney. I'm not a Republican. I'm a conservative.
/johnny
That is said every election.
Whatever people do this November, please do not stay home. And vote for someone for president. If you can’t vote for Romney, vote for someone else, but do not leave any choice blank on your ballot. Leaving blanks just invites someone at the polling place to help out by filling the blanks with their own choices.
I dunno, the old scare tactics just aren't working on me this time.
There is a far better chance of denying Romney enough delegates to get the nomination than there is at having a 3rd party win the presidency. There’s no reason to be talking or thinking about ANYTHING else but getting more votes for Newt in the remaining 20 states (with 45% of the total delegates left to be voted on). Romney has about 650 out of 1,144 delegates needed. Obviously you don’t need to be a mathematician to see that if he loses most of the upcoming states, he won’t win the nomination.
And Saul Alinsky.
This Party option for Presidential election only (do the math) is a guarantee to elect the person you least want elected!
If you are serious about starting a real ‘third party’ option, you do it at the local /state level first, then you branch out to the national level, in order to establish real power and control in the legislative arena.
‘Principle’ over math is a recipe for ‘suiciding’ your own principled agenda.
Even Palin herself said that a ‘third party’ option would guarantee Obama’s re-election.
The notion that voting for a third party candidate is good for your conscience is naive. You might as well vote for Obama. This country is in real trouble right now with the radical liberals in charge. We don’t have the luxury of having this guy in office another four years if we can help it. Now is not the time, right before the election, to think about voting for a third party candidate. A viable third party will take years, if not decades, to build up and get the support it needs to be competitive with the two major parties.
Elections are almost always about holding your nose and voting for someone who is not your perfect candidate. The same will be true in this election.
ABO. Anybody But Obama. ANYBODY!
You can't do that by voting for a liberal. And Romney is a liberal.
/johnny
I already see people on this thread trying to use Perot as a reason for sticking with the GOP, regardless of what happens.
Those who do so apprently need to relearn a little history.
Perot could well have won in 1992. He was leading in the polls starting in June. The trick was that he was NOT supposed to win. He was only supposed to draw enough support to elect Clinton. This is why Perot dropped out - he was doing TOO WELL and threatened to take it from Clinton, as well as from Bush. He got back in once his support dropped back just to the die-hards, and even then, despite it all, he pulled 19%. If he'd stayed in, he'd have had 40% and won the EV.
Perot never had a chance.
It’ll be a much better statement to the GOP leaders who pushed Romney if they see that we showed up but our votes went 3rd party. I would like to see a real 3rd party conservative candidate up there in the debates telling America why Obamney are wrong for this country, but I don’t know if that could be accomplished.
Oh wait!
I'm someone!
PING!
No, we’re not “insane.” We simply don’t want to hand the leadership of the GOP over to a man who implemented MORE liberal policy in Massachusetts in his 4 years than Obama has been able to do in the country for his 4 years. The GOP gridlocking Obama will do less damage than them rubber-stamping everything Mitt Romney thinks is a good idea.
Not to mention 4 years of Obama followed by a dream ticket of conservatives like Palin, Gingrich, West, etc. for 8 more years sounds a LOT better to me than 8 years of Mitt followed by whoever the GOP would handpick next if Mitt was successful.
If you’re keeping score, you can count my vote out for Mitt Romney in the marginally swing state of Pennsylvania.
Yes, this is exactly what needs to happen.
Those who are in states where it was supposed to be proportional delegates and the R establishment is screwing you - take it to them and demand that they follow the law or get hit paying for a bunch of lawsuits. Let them know that any money they might have been counting on to help get Romney (or other candidates) elected will be spent on lawsuits unless they shape up and follow the law. We are sick of this lawlessness and sick of “our leaders” crapping on us.
Those who are in states who haven’t voted yet, the fate of the country comes down to you. Rise to the task.
Anybody who has the influence to get success, talk to the people who have endorsed Romney - like Rick Perry, Herman Cain, Todd Palin, etc and tell them how much we need them to be vocal right now. Those who supported Santorum, urge him to throw his support behind the only conservative left in the race.
This is not a time to cower or give up. This is our finest hour. What would Churchill do? All we have to fear is fear itself.
Most of these 3rd parties tend to nominate ‘who?’ candidates few ever heard of or old, washed out politicians.
For one to be successful, it would need a vibrant, energetic, strong political person. Few have one available.
How many 3rd party candidates of the last half century can most Americans even name?
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