Could this election go three ways?
By dark_joev
@dark_joev (3034)
United States
May 22, 2012 1:15am CST
What I mean by asking this question is could we see three candidates hit the national stage. We have Romney and Obama who are representing the status quo however we have a third party candidate a Gary Johnson who is representing the Libertarian Party and could very well reach the 15% to get to be on the debate stage.
So my question is could if he makes it to that 15% level be able to make a difference by being allowed to be on the stage at the national level? Would the people go for a third party if they saw it be placed in front of them on their national TV Network as being a part of the running for President of the United States?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
22 May 12
If we have three candidates, Obama wins. Unless, of course, the third candidate is from the Communist Party or Socialist Party, or some other candidate who publicly acknowledges his radical views. That candidate would take the fringe left votes from Obama and guarantee his loss. But I am sure you are speaking of a Ron Paul or Gary Johnson third party candidate who would only take votes away from the Republican nominee and guarantee an Obama win. I do not think of this as a good thing because a second-term Obama, unfettered by the prospect of re-election worries, would be the most dangerous thing to happen to America since her founding.
@opalina143 (1240)
• Morristown, New Jersey
22 May 12
since I want Obama to win, it works out well for me :-) but who knows if that's the way it's really going to go? If Ron Paul runs for example, he will probably take just as many Democrat votes as Republican votes, there's a lot of support for him among liberals. So it could actually work the other way. It's really hard to predict.
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
22 May 12
I think Ron Paul or Gary Johnson are most likely to pull independent voters, not really many Democrats. And independents are more likely to go right this election, not back to Obama.
I don't expect Obama to lose no matter who runs, unless the poll gap is so freakishly huge that it would be impossible to explain away an Obama win. Then, because Republicans are less likely to call for recounts, the election would go to Obama anyway.
@opalina143 (1240)
• Morristown, New Jersey
22 May 12
I've never even heard of Gary Johnson. But I think there is a huge third-party candidate that you're ignoring – Ron Paul. Ron Paul has a lot of supporters, and aseven been able to pick up some delegates. I'm on Facebook and there a lot of people who really love Ron Paul and post about them all the time. There's a tremendous grassroots movement in support of him. I wouldn't be surprised if he's not a major candidate – personally, I don't like him – I think he's way too extreme and that his policies would be disastrous for the poor and disabled in our country since he advocates getting rid of Medicaid, welfare, and other programs that help the disenfranchised. He also wants to get rid of a lot of other government programs, and I think this would be a disaster – but that's another issue. He has a lot of followers, and I would be very surprised to be doesn't become a major player in the selection.
@dark_joev (3034)
• United States
23 May 12
Ron Paul has yet to say he is going third party also he may not make an third party run because of his son who could carry the Ron Paul supporters on to becoming Rand Paul supporters and the movement is most certainly growing.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
22 May 12
I agree with Rollo1. If a third party manages to split the vote, the only outcome will be that Obama wins, even with fewer popular votes. It happened when Ross Perot ran. I fear that Ron Paul will do that more than Gary Johnson. Paul has a strong following.
Regardless, a third candidate would spell trouble for us.
@mensab (4200)
• Philippines
22 May 12
if gary johnson of libertarian party is able to muster enough supporters to make him more visible to the national scene, then it is possible to have three names from which voters can choose. remember ross perot when he ran as independent and gained substantial percentage of voters. it can happen again this election. but the two major and dominant parties are so dominant that outside them, any party has very slim chance of winning.
