Third Party Options

Vanity | April 14, 2012 | Engraved-on-His-hands

[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.

[gusty]

Actually a large majority of the GOP wants to end abortion and is for traditional marriage. Even so called RINOs like Gov. Christie are with you on those. Now cut the size of government is a little more complicated. I think the vast majority of Republican politicians would love to cut the government to the bone, however the problem on this one is not them, it is us. We, us, pretend to want government cut. We pick out programs to eliminate that are a pimple on a rats ass. But when Medicare and Social Security enter the equation we all scream bloody murder. Don't cut my entitlements you will hear from Tea Party activists. The day the politicians know cutting entitlements will be popular with us, they will do it in a flash.

[butterdezillion]

What are the numbers if Rick Santorum releases his delegates to Newt?

[wjcsux]

There is no 3rd Party options!

[gusty]

They are winner take all primaries in states located on the West Coast and the Northeast. Big states too. Do you really think that Newt is going to win in California and New York. If you really believe he will, I suggest you stay out of any sportsbook in Las Vegas. I’m not preventing anyone doing anything they want. It sounds costly and time consuming to stand in the doorways of polling places all over the country. I’m just trying to reflect reality as it really is. Like knowing my NY Mets will not be playing meaningful games in September.

[wjcsux]

As much as I dislike Obama, voting third party is a vote for Obama. Your choice. Third party and Obama or Romney.
BINGO! You nailed it! Next to Ron Paul, Mittens was my last choice.

[JediJones]

You’re not reflecting reality by being completely wrong about your facts. Only TWO statewide winner-take-all primaries remain, Delaware and Utah.

[Psalm 144]

“I have voted for every Republican presidential candidate since 1992. Not this year. I’m done putting my time, energy, and resources to work for the “etch-e-sketch” party.”

Same, since 1980. Also done.

[gusty]

Problem with this is he will not do it. Heard him at the beginning of the week say he was going to support Romney. Said they did not have a chance yet to coordinate schedules. Doesn’t sound like a man who his going to release his delegates to Newt. Santorum is not a stupid man, give him some credit. He has a future that he doesn’t want to throw it away. He fought the good fight and knew when to fold them.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

As I've said on other posts, and I tried to make abundantly clear on my post in this thread, is that my action is purely strategic.

There is absolutely no way that Romney wins California. So a vote for Romney is a total waste of effort. I am not advocating that conservatives in Red or battleground states vote Green Party.

I am not saying that I am gladly voting for the Green Party, or that I am voting for them because I agree with anything they say. I'm certainly not going to vote for them because I have a love for Roseanne Barr.

We will all soon be harangued to vote for Romney, even though just a couple of months ago anyway suggesting a vote for Romney was either subjected to withering abuse or kicked off the site. The arguments for voting Romney will all be purely utilitarian. There will be no people (except the seriously delusional) advocating a principled reason for voting Romney. Since we're all limited this election cycle to voting pragmatically, then I choose to vote as pragmatically as possible.

If you live in a blue state, then you should vote Green Party. It's the least stupid, least crazy thing to do.

[gusty]

I got New York wrong, but its a pretty good bet Newt will not get any there. However you are wrong also, add California and New Jersey to the winner take all states. Look it up. That’s a hefty number of delegates.

[JediJones]

I’m using this list. I was talking about statewide winner-take-all. I know California is winner-take-all by district and from this list it appears New Jersey is the same.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/republican_delegate_count.html

[gusty]

At least wait to see how things are breaking. If its a lost cause have some fun. But if there is some hope, consider helping eject Obama from the White House.

[butterdezillion]

IOW, his own career means more to him than the country.

I just lost all respect for the man. He is worse than a traitor.

[JediJones]

Santorum is not a stupid man, give him some credit. He has a future that he doesn’t want to throw it away.

He said he'd support Romney if he's the nominee against Obama, not in the primaries.

So you apparently define "stupid" as not compromising your principles for political gain and not doing actions which contradict every statement about Romney you made in the primary? Note that it would be a contradiction if you're right that Santorum would endorse Romney in the primary. He has always said he'd back him over Obama.

[gusty]

Maybe. Unclear on that chart what they mean. Does the winner take all the delegates, but the delegates are selected to represent all the districts,instead of a state wide list. Or each district is winner take all. Could be either scenario. We will find out soon enough.

[gusty]

Santorum saw himself as the last contender, and rightly so. He was. Newt is going nowhere, except in the minds of people who live in fantasyland. I look at what is, not what I want it to be. If all I get from a Romney win in November is a fun night channel surfing the Liberal Media, it will be worth it to me. You gotta admit that would be great night of television. I will even watch MSNBC that night. Just the look on Matthews face on a night like that would be priceless.

[butterdezillion]

I hope you’re right on that. I hope he releases his delegates to Gingrich.

At this point we’re fighting for the survival of this country, and if we don’t survive it’s gonna be impossible to cash in on any IOU’s for later.

IOW, it would not only be wrong for him to put his own ambitions above his country, it would be stupid.

[gusty]

Now that Bloomberg/Schwartzenneger 2016 would push even me, Mr GOP into voting third party. Hell, Bloomberg would be the only candidate i would vote for Obama instead of him.

[gusty]

Lets make a deal. If Newt gets the delegates and takes the brass ring, I will be 110% behind Newt with pleasure. I really like the guy. But if the opposite happens, lets come together and go for the win in November. Open to it.

[butterdezillion]

It sounds like this country doesn’t mean jack to you.

Sad.

If Santorum is the way you describe him then he’s a conceited little worm.