Finding myself totally unenergized by anybody from the two major parties, it occurs to me that the media should consider giving some time to other parties. On paper, I'm more of a Libertarian than a Democrat or Republican.
Does anybody think that the Libertarians should debate the two major parties? Should they have their own televised debate?
Here's their site: http://2016.libertarian-party.org/
Does anybody think that the Libertarians should debate the two major parties?
Yes, but that's highly unlikely unless the Libertarian Party gets significantly larger. The debates are controlled by an interesting cadre of the political/media/intellectual elite. It's way too easy (particularly for the media) to dismiss the LP. They haven't had Presidential ballot access in all 50 states since 1996. They've never won a seat in Congress. There's only just over 350,000 registered members. In 2012, Gary Johnson got the most votes of any LP Presidential candidate ever with 1.7 million votes, but...that was out of 129 million votes cast overall.
It usually shakes out that Libertarians break more away from Democrats, as the LP platform calls for smaller government, radical reform of tax policy and the abolition of welfare. Libertarians tend to more closely skew with Republicans, except for the social issues. However, the Establishment GOP will never nominate a Libertarian. Ever.
There are currently no registered members of the LP in any legislature at the State or Federal level. Right or wrong, again, it's just too easy to dismiss them.
Should they have their own televised debate?
The LP platform resonates incredibly well with Millennials. They should start with an aggressive internet campaign. Younger people are much more open to watching live streaming events, and social media is always there.
“Should they have their own televised debate?”
- In order to do so they would need a sponsor willing to put up enough money for a television network to pull their regularly scheduled advertizing for a debate few would watch.
“Does anybody think that the Libertarians should debate the two major parties?”
- The power brokers in the two major parties would never allow it.
If The Libertarians want anyone to pay attention to them they need to build a grassroots campaign and gather support, create a donor base and convince the media they are a creditable political party.
This goes with the long wanted by some but a nearly impossible legitimate “third party”. The political elites of the two major parties will not permit that to happen.
Pity.
In America we have freedom of choice!
160 brands of toilet paper, 80 types of hemorrhoid cream, and two assholes for President!
USA! USA! USA!
When a Libertarian debate becomes a boost to ratings it will happen.
When a Libertarian debate becomes a boost to ratings it will happen.
_______________________________________________________________________
So the Libertarians need a woman who has never accomplished anything and is a habitual liar or a billionaire celebrity egomaniac?
That wouldn’t make them stand out much…
“Should they have their own televised debate?”
- In order to do so they would need a sponsor willing to put up enough money for a television network to pull their regularly scheduled advertizing for a debate few would watch.
“Does anybody think that the Libertarians should debate the two major parties?”
- The power brokers in the two major parties would never allow it.
If The Libertarians want anyone to pay attention to them they need to build a grassroots campaign and gather support, create a donor base and convince the media they are a creditable political party.
This goes with the long wanted by some but a nearly impossible legitimate “third party”. The political elites of the two major parties will not permit that to happen.
Pity.
After all these years he finally said something I can agree with.
Keep trying, you may be human after all.
Remember the WRITE IN vote possibilities. Vote for who you want. Why settle for the lesser of the evils available. Assert your right to vote for who YOU want, even if nobody else does. What if millions of people did that?
Agreeing with MuleMan and Gina on the same day! Yeah, I will no longer opt for the lesser of two evils - or for the one candidate that I dislike less than the other. I'm voting my conscience and for the party/candidate that speaks more toward my own beliefs and interests.
To digress slightly, in this day of internet and social media - where we all can be the media (to some degree) you'd think that eventually a third party will rise to the level of being taken seriously. I'm not gonna vote for the guy, but Bernie Sander's popularity shows that this is possible.
Remember the WRITE IN vote possibilities. Vote for who you want. Why settle for the lesser of the evils available. Assert your right to vote for who YOU want, even if nobody else does. What if millions of people did that?
_______________________________________________________________________
Good luck.
Many States do not allow “write-in” votes
Some of the States that do allow “write-in” votes require that the candidate be preregistered.
Some of the States that do allow “write-in” votes do not require anything which is where votes for Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Santa Claus, Alfred E. Newman and Adolph Hitler have come.
What will it take to make the “hold your nose and vote” a thing of the past?
One particular major political party will never allow a real Libertarian to get any traction because:
"The Libertarian platform believes in personal freedom and accountability, with the absolute minimum of government necessary to keep the nation running."
While a wonderful notion it hasn't a chance in hell... for now.
