Opinions on Third Party Candidates Please??

I don't believe that any of the third party candidates have a shot in the dark. Ron Paul has a lot of support but not enough to win, even with write in votes in the states where his name isn't on the ballot. Ralph Nadar has less of a shot. I actually voted for him back in the 70's so that should give you some indication of how long he's been trying.

so maybe we can't get a 3rd party or independent in the white house yet, but, that may not necessarily mean we can't fill congress with them. Would make more sense to start there to clean house and it's probably easier to get a 3rd party or independent in from your particular district. We've all agreed , no matter where we stand, politically, that congress needs to go, both parties, gone, adios, your all fired. A small congressional district is a lot easier to get a candidate elected in.

I heard that Ron Paul sounds good, but there are some things that I do not agree with that he has. I do not like Bob Barr he is for individual state rights for marriages, and that is wrong, Alan Keyes sounds all right he is pro life, and the others have somethings I like but some I do not like. But the third party candidates do not have that much support and they will not get in. You also have to have a lot of money to back them. It is too bad that we cannot get one candidate that is perfect for all.

I looked into the four most prominent third party nominees and they all looked like extremists for the most part. Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin are too far to the right and Cynthia McKinney and Ralph Nader are too far to the left. I couldn't find any middle ground candidate. I really wish there were more moderate third party types like Ross Perot who were more focused on fixing the economy than social issues. Ron Paul is not running for president so despite his popularity, voting for him will accomplish nothing. They don't even count write-ins in most states unless he registers as a write-in candidate.

In America, there have been some notable third party candidates that have run for President in the past. However, because of election laws and campaigning practices, it is virtually impossible for a third party candidate to be more than a spoiler in a close contest. Like it or not, a third party vote is primarily a protest vote and will not help choose the most likely candidate to become the next President.

I believe that neither of the main party candidates are best for this country, if only Ron Paul could gain that many supporters.

I like the Libertarian parties philosophy, I just do not like Bob Barr their candidate. Why I do not like Bob Barr as a candidate for the LP nominee is that he does not bring to the table what it takes for a thrid party candidate to get any where in an election. Just picking up so disgruntal Republicans is not a way to build a party. I am a registured Libertarian and a member of the party, but I am voting for John McCain. Why am I doing this, well voting for a guy that idea for success is being the first LP candidate to picking up a million votes is not my idea of success. Success is a long term goal of educating Americans on the principles of less government is better government. The LP needed a candidate that could bring to the masses why they need a Libertarian in the White House, Bob Barr is not that man. But if you are wanting to vote third party I would say Barr/Root would be my pick, just because of the message of limited government is right up my what I believe in.

I agree that none of the 3rd party candidates have a shot this election, and I also agree that we need to open up the electoral process to admit more than the major party candidates. I'm telling people I know who feel the same way that if they live in a red or a blue state (as opposed to a purple state) where their vote is not going to help their 'best choice candidate' get into office, they should take a serious look at the platforms presented by the third parties, and vote for the candidate whose party most fits their beliefs. Third party candidates will only get on the ballot when enough voters are making it clear that they want that third party on the ballot - so if you want to see a Green Party or a Libertarian or any of the other parties on the ballot (in your state elections, in the '12 elections) vote for their candidate in this election. While you're at it, find out about local 3rd party candidates and work for them and with them to get them into office. It's the only way that we'll ever open up the electoral process short of a mandate from above.