I wonder why third parties never are big in the US.

Join Date: 2012-12-27
Post Count: 10991

#200677665Saturday, October 29, 2016 7:08 PM GMT

Seriously we only have two primary parties, the Republican Party and Democratic Party. It been that way for a long time. Sure independent and third party candidates like for instance before Teddy Roosevelt became president, he was running as a Progressive and managed to win a few states in the early 20th century. And plus the last time a third party or independent candidate ever was seen on live presidential debate was in 1992 election, where Ross Perot was able to get himself on their. So my question is. How come in our country, why can't third parties be able to become big and well known? Why can't a third party or independent candidate have a huge chance at winning an presidential election?

Aveeo

Join Date: 2012-04-28
Post Count: 26934

#200677823Saturday, October 29, 2016 7:12 PM GMT

TBH this is the first election in my lifetime that I've seen a little more publicity for third party candidates (well at least for Johnson and Stein). I can't even tell you who was running third party back in 2012. Respect the science!

CasperTheGhost7

Join Date: 2012-12-27
Post Count: 10991

#200677865Saturday, October 29, 2016 7:14 PM GMT

Also not to mention anyone who is not registered a Republican or Democrat in other words if anyone is independent or of a third party, you can't vote in primaries or the presidential election on Nov. 8th. Unless you decide to go Republican or Democrat, but other than that. Independent and third party voters really don't even have a single say in anything. For instance New Hampshire surprisingly a majority of independent voters, outnumbering Republicans and Democrats. However the thing is the independent in New Hampshire have no choice so they either go Republican or Democrat.

Cudbert

Join Date: 2010-12-18
Post Count: 16725

#200677897Saturday, October 29, 2016 7:15 PM GMT

the main reason is that third parties don't have enough funding to advertise and widen their appeal. parties can get federal funding if they get >5% of the general vote but none of the third parties ever get >2% third parties can sometimes decide the outcome of U.S elections though e.g ross perot in 1992

CasperTheGhost7

Join Date: 2012-12-27
Post Count: 10991

#200677939Saturday, October 29, 2016 7:16 PM GMT

@Aveeo This the first time in my life that I will be able to vote for the first time now that I'm registered voter. I registered as a Democrat, but I also pay attention to foreign politics and also pay attention to both sides of our two primary parties as well.

CasperTheGhost7

Join Date: 2012-12-27
Post Count: 10991

#200678130Saturday, October 29, 2016 7:21 PM GMT

To be honest, I think we should have a third major party system. So we can have a party that is in the right political spectrum (Republican Party), a party in center political spectrum, (Libertarian Party), and a leftist party (Democratic Party).

StraitOuttaBoston

Join Date: 2015-08-21
Post Count: 29951

#200678144Saturday, October 29, 2016 7:21 PM GMT

It makes it easier for the two big parties to remain in control. It's that simple, they both know by working together they can ensure that only they will be elected.

budderfishman007

Join Date: 2014-03-12
Post Count: 19751

#200678486Saturday, October 29, 2016 7:30 PM GMT

We seriously need to get rid of the political establishment. I say out Congress needs to act more like the UK Parliament.

iamjonroncinabon

Join Date: 2011-05-10
Post Count: 9032

#200678535Saturday, October 29, 2016 7:31 PM GMT

What about the populist party? Noot-noot

Lukeasbot

Join Date: 2013-03-18
Post Count: 4190

#200678592Saturday, October 29, 2016 7:33 PM GMT

the mods r gonna get u