I really despise where the political parties are, what they represent and who leads them. I have voted third party twice during the Obama elections, voted for Trump in 2016 largely because I hoped he in fact would not act like a Republican and then I abstained from voting for any candidate in 2020 even though I thought then broadly speaking that Biden was a fine 'bridge' President, still I did not support him or Trump and I will not be supporting either of them this year either.
Part of me thinks that the DNC has something up their sleeve this summer that will place another candidate on the ballot. Biden can't bow out now, but at some point I don't think the Democrats can go to the general election with him atop the ticket.
RFK Jr, Cornel West .... Joe Manchin?
The No Labels group has some mixed history - I will say that I like the platform. I would like to support something, have something to believe in. I would like to be able to put a sign in my yard, a bumper sticker. Something to tell you, my friends, my family, confidently and proudly 'I'm voting for this candidate and this is why' - it's sad though. Like all the big problems facing our country that I kind of run down, the two party system we have, broken and dysfunctional D and R parties, the duopoly has gotten so bad that some 70% of the country does not want the two choices we are looking like we may be getting in November.
Perot got 19% of the popular vote in 1992, but no electoral votes. If a third party candidate can get on the ballot in all 50 states, some states' winner take all electoral votes could go to a candidate getting like something in the 30%-range of the vote. Turnout should be poor for the two major parties, Biden and Trump are weak compared to HW Bush and Clinton in 1992. Is the door open for a viable third party this cycle?
It’s a good ? - in addition to Republican & Democrat, even tho he’s officially listed as GOP, I see Donald Trump as an independent, almost 3rd-party candidate -
it’s why I think that if Gov Haley were nominated at the Republican convention, it would strengthen Donald’s campaign as an independent wanting little to do with Wash DC politics -
that’s what helped him get elected in 2016, same Jimmy Carter 40 years earlier in the bicentennial election, running as a Washington outsider
while I dispute the legitimacy of most of Donald Trump’s “continuously worsening legal troubles,” for the good of the country I’d like to see both he and the incumbent withdraw their candidacies & retire gracefully
the problem is, outside of VP Harris, possibly Gov Haley, there’s no third-party type candidate, incl Kennedy Jr, Pete Buttieg or anyone else -
by default the nominations will almost certainly fall into the laps of these 2 fine but aging men
Its Not Age Discrimination - there has to be an age limit on presidential candidates - it’s unfair to ask a sr citizen to shoulder the burdens of the presidency -
most imo don’t want to have to choose between a loopy president or a firebrand candidate - to have a sr moment in times of crisis, esp war/military issues, is too risky -
we saw that w/Reagan, everyone was thankful his diagnosis came in retirement - not long after either
would have to believe most Americans would agree we can’t afford such a diagnosis of a sitting president
went off topic, sorry!!
Perot was similar to Trump, a rich outsider never involved in elective politics, who ran for president as a non politician
John Anderson made things interesting for awhile & gathered support running as an independent (iirc) candidate in the Reagan/Ford/Carter era
where’s Lyndon Larouche when we need em🤙🇺🇸✌️
Is the door open for a viable third party this cycle?
No.
People who are horrified of another Trump administration, or just to keep the Supreme Court from turning ultra-right, are voting for Biden without question.
The MAGAs who ignore every treasonist thing Trump does will vote for Trump without question, thinking themselves the most patriotic.
I get the sentiment, how can we feel like we have a choice when 2 states determine a candidate during primaries. But I also think most people have the wrong expectations of how a President affects their life (for example, the many contributing factors to inflation and how the economy works).
The 24-hour news cycle is meant to enrage people, it's the emotion that keeps people coming back. Much of it isn't even news, it's angry editorializing. But if people thought everything was fine, they would watch something else. I think Biden's administration has stumbled a few times, but it's been stable and competent - something Trump's administration never was. It was the opposite, actually, an exhausting disaster always meant to enrage people to keep them engaged. But the country was completely destabilized. I don't know if the US could survive another Trump administration and it's pretty late in the cycle to sway enough from either side to make a dent.
At one time Trump could've been considered a third-party type, but now the Republican party is the Trump party. I know there are your traditional Republicans who are not Trumpers, still it is pretty clear now that Trump runs the party.
We know his supporters will turn out, however many of them that there are. Winning Iowa and New Hampshire back-to-back and nobody has done that or whatever, however I don't think his total count in New Hampshire was very inspiring, in fact it was somewhat weak.
Democrats think their base will turn out as Bob states, fears of Trump or the court or whatever .... what if they don't and it puts some states in play? I personally think that the Biden administration has done well in walking a fine line with Israel and Gaza and I support how they have handled the situation overall. That is me. We all know that there are many people who have been on the record saying they will not vote for Biden because in their view he is somehow supporting genocide - it's not and he is not, but these people think it so. What if a state like Michigan, say 50,000 would-be Biden voters don't show? The margin was more than that in 2020, but other than devoted Democratic base, who is voting for Biden? They say independents decide elections. I think Trump has his base and that is pretty much it - he should be getting fewer votes this go round too. In certain states it really looks like there could be an opportunity.
They say independents decide elections. I think Trump has his base and that is pretty much it - he should be getting fewer votes this go round too. In certain states it really looks like there could be an opportunity.
makes sense to me, enough undecided voters could make for fertile ground for an enterprising candidate to convert into votes
i41 am tired of the treasonous Trump/savior Joe BS - this is what I’d most like to avoid
but as was said, press coverage is often meant to enrage, not inform
“Lady Liberty was permanently scarred, disfigured, by the hell of 2016-20” - this I have Never paid attention to
”The Republic has hardly ever been more happy & prosperous b/c of the Biden Administration” - same - pure perception
in lieu of a third-party candidate mayb Trump & Haley will merge their forces into one ticket at the convention, strategy being to key in on the previously-mentioned undecided voters to give GOP its best chance of winning the Nov election & returning Trump to power
it’s happened b4, the nation returned Grover Cleveland, a Democrat, to power late 1800s
I don’t know **** about any of this - shouldn’t blow off so much steam about it
🇺🇸✌️good mrng/wknd
Probably not this year, but I honestly believe that our country is crying out for viable alternatives to Democrats and Republicans. There are too many folks like myself who just feel that neither party is speaking to, for or about them. This part is my opinion.
This is not an opinion - something I've watched develop over the years: There was a time when both parties started sounding very similar when election time rolled around. Now, both parties and their constituents fully embrace EXTREME right/left leanings. The idea now seems to be to go for that 51-55% and to not seek ideas or policies that benefit a larger portion of the population. I just don't believe that either of the "big two" serve a majority of the population.
I probably didn't say all of this right, but I know what I meant. 😉
I so badly in my lifetime want the President to be neither a Democrat or a Republican. Most of the country identifies as independent, our President should be one too.
If congress must be made up of political parties, we need 3 or 4 or 5 different parties - where no one party has the power to pass legislation on their own without input and support from others.
The two major parties are so deeply entrenched in the state balloting process etc. it makes it unbelievably hard for a third party to get any footing. The No Labels have hinted at a possible run this time through but it just isn't electable due to not being on all states ballots. Plus, they have yet to put forth what their ticket would be and we're just months away from the next election. The only thing No Labels could "accomplish" this year is hurt one of the candidates in certain states which could actually flip who the winner will be. Whats needed is hard thorough grassroots efforts way before the eve of an election and so far no viable third party has developed. More of the same-o same-o again this go around.
What additionally bothers me is politicians who vote AGAINST a certain bill, like "Build Back Better," who come back to their district bragging about all the funds that are flowing into their district saying "look at what you guys will be receiving." Exactly the situation in my House district where the republican voted against passage and then is back here playing up all the improvements that will be happening. Weasels. Weasels on both sides of the aisle.
As unpopular as both major parties are it's mystifying how a third party hasn't already stepped forward. Probably ain't ever going to happen.
"Is that a real poncho or is that a Sears poncho?"
Maybe not a good year for a third party, but possibly a good year for a candidate named, None of these Candidates?
Good idea, looks like I could be writing in "none of these candidates".
I thought that RFK Jr ad last night during the Super Bowl was awesome! Then I heard today it was unauthorized use of that ad by a super-pac...
The Kennedy Family has officially endorsed Joe Biden for president
kinda knocks the legs out of an already-shaky third-party bid, even-if one of their own - the family has always been staunchly Democrat
cant believe Jr.’d sustain/maintain his campaign long term - unless it’s vitalized by a sudden unforeseen grassroots surge, or new votes/delegates left vacant/unclaimed by a possible Trump legal ouster from the race, suddenly swinging to the independent ticket
A few things in play, but oddly, I actually think a real reason for RFK Jr is his voice issue turns people off
Yes - it sounded like a regular sore throat at first, but is apparently some sort of ‘condition’ he has - hard to imagine how all the speaking as a candidate on the campaign trail would aid that, but I don’t know - at 70 he’s not a spring chicken
also the makeup they use on him imo makes him look garish plasticine Weird
✌️he’s giving it a try & deserves ups for that🇺🇸
A few things in play, but oddly, I actually think a real reason for RFK Jr is his voice issue turns people off
or also...
In addition to that, JFK’s grandson called his uncle a lying “prick” who goes “way freakin back” w/Trump
note, this is on a trash label - it also said Jack’s grandson “donned multiple personas” when saying this
all Americans ask is, No Debate Debacle Please - it’s been mentioned - should Jr. be included blah blah
it’d be a painful pre packaged travesty w/candidates looking like mannequins basically lampooning themselves while trying to look serious/‘presidential’ …. can hardly remember the 2020 debates
I would say to Bobby, end your campaign b4 the Pat Paulson comparison/jokes begin
all Americans ask is, No Debate Debacle Please
it’d be a painful pre packaged travesty w/candidates looking like mannequins basically lampooning themselves while trying to look serious/‘presidential’
no luck, they’ve been scheduled, June 27 - no mention of RFK Jr
cringe fest, yawn fest, call it anything, on June 27
nothing of substance comes out of these debates - just shallow happy face hip hip hooray vote-for-me PR
🇺🇸due respect nonetheless🇺🇸
all Americans ask is, No Debate Debacle Please
it’d be a painful pre packaged travesty w/candidates looking like mannequins basically lampooning themselves while trying to look serious/‘presidential’
no luck, they’ve been scheduled, June 27 - cringe fest, yawn fest, call it anything
”Joe had em eating outta his hand” - Dems/CNN/MSNBC….
”we’re up 1-0 & see you, in Sep-tem-ber” - conspirators/cronies/cohorts/criminals>Repubs looking ahead to round 2
remark, guessing the anti-Trumps are getting more & more neurotic - all the billion$ spent on his impeachments/trials/convictions haven’t amounted to a hill of beans, & there’s an increasing chance of their worst nightmares, victory for Trump, coming to pass in November
compassionately & w/empathy, Joe Biden is no more fit to be president than Trump haters continuously scream that Trump is
Joe looked frail, a bit feeble to me - most seniors his age are, but they aren’t president & imo he owes it to his supporters & the country to step down
that’s what their joint appearance looked like to me - a debate it was not imo
🇺🇸
(IMHO) A third party kicks the us -vs- them mentality that pops up every election cycle to the curb. Easier to keep the voters occupied/distracted/controlled with just two options. The chaos that comes from two choices would shoot into orbit if there was EVER a viable third option. Anyways, the "party" that actually runs the show is fine with the way things are. So until either a foreign invasion, secession, U.N occupation happens, shit will stay the same. LOL
Nope, a third-party candidate can not win, at least not anytime soon. A vote for a third party, a write-in, or a "none of the above", may be a feel-good protest vote, but it will not affect the election outcome. Therefore it is a wasted vote. If you despise the Republican candidate you should vote for the only candidate with a chance to beat him, the Democrat candidate. Likewise, if you don't want the Democrat candidate the only one with a chance to defeat him is the Republican. Sometimes you just have to pick the least bad candidate. That is the sad reality.
for the good of the country I’d like to see both he and the incumbent withdraw their candidacies & retire gracefully
the problem is, outside of VP Harris, possibly Gov Haley, there’s no third-party type candidate, incl Kennedy Jr, Pete Buttieg or anyone else -
by default the nominations will almost certainly fall into the laps of these 2 fine but aging men
Its Not Age Discrimination - there has to be an age limit on presidential candidates - it’s unfair to ask a sr citizen to shoulder the burdens of the presidency - to have a sr moment in times of crisis, esp war/military issues, is too risky🤙🇺🇸✌️
if Dr Jill told Joe, ‘Joe, Lyndon Johnson stepped down & Did Not Lose Face - & he died only a few short years later
‘I’m ready to retire to the beach house Now, while we can still enjoy it
’you wouldn’t be stepping down tail between legs, people would be supportive & applaud your four great years w/Kamala…….
’now she’s ready for the presidency
& you & I are ready for our golden years - you’re only a phone call away if something comes up’
etc & so forth along those lines
…….then Joe imo would see the sense in this, factor in the calls for him to step aside, acquiesce & retire w/honor - but it’d have to be at the convention or b4
imo most people would respect Joe for this & be supportive
re quote - if victorious in Nov, Don would be 78 years old come Inauguration Day - that’s how old Reagan was When He Retired for pete’s sake
realize Trump is less likely to withdraw his candidacy than Joe - again Don might be DQ’d come Sept 18
…..in short, just feel that “the presidency” & “the elderly” don’t mix
@stephen You fail to take into account political (in this case, Democratic) EGOs! Hillary, RBG and now Biden - none of them selfless enough to take themselves out of the game, even if that is what is best for the team. I do not support or condone ageism, but in all fields of life skills diminish over time. When's the last time you saw a 50 year old NFL running back? How many 70 year old firefighters are still climbing ladders? In most companies/businesses you get politely nudged towards the door as you near your 60th birthday. IMO both Biden and Trump are too old for this gig. We need more young blood in DC!
Rusty, one recalls Connie Mack, who got so old toward the end that he was calling for pinch hitters -
of guys he’d managed years before & weren’t on his team
These scenarios, in all walks of life as you said, need to be avoided
@stephen Or my beloved Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant - without argument, one of the greatest ever - calling for a punt ... on 3rd down. Screaming, "Put Leroy (Jordan) in!" ... years after he'd coached the linebacker. Yeah, time has its way with all things.
