Why Have a Third Party?
Posted by Adam Graham in : Presidential Race 2008Don Wildmon seems to be a tad off in the Washington Post when he describes the purpose of a third party:
“The only reason to go third party is to hurt another party, as Ross Perot did and Ralph Nader did,” American Family Association (AFA) Chairman Donald Wildmon told The Washington Times.
That’s one theory, but I think it’s a tad more complex than that. Sometimes, issues are pushed through the third party that move the national debate. Many of Ross Perot’s idea on deficit reduction came to pass, Ralph Nader’s liberalism has moved the Democratic Party further left.
Sometimes, third parties push an idea or proposal into the national spotlight. However third parties that make people to dubious as to whether the only reason for the party is a grudge match don’t go far (think Pat Buchanan’s Reform Party run in 2000.)
If Rudy is nominated, Conservative Christians will need to put together a coherent strategy. A coherent strategy if it leads to a third party will have an end game and goal that’s achievable and provide something will want to vote for. The lack of that coherence is what makes the Rudy nomination a possibility in the first place.
Comment by Bubblehead
So, basically, you’re saying that it would be OK for conservative Christians to leave the Republican Party because they don’t like potential primary winner Giuliani and don’t feel he represents their views, while you earlier said basically that moderate Republicans should support primary winner Bill Sali even though they thought he didn’t represent their views. That’s good to know.
Comment by Adam Graham
Well, if you’re leaving the party, you could, of course support Larry Grant, but don’t tell me you’re a Republican and you’re not going to back the party’s nominee is not acceptable. If you’re really closer to liberal Larry Grant than you don’t belong in the GOP. He’s a full-bore far left tool of Daily Kos. If I were to publicly oppose the Republican nominee, I would not try and be a member of that party, I wouldn’t say, “I’m a Republican against Giuliani”, I’d say, “I’m a member of whatever party.”
Comment by Bubblehead
I’m actually kind of looking forward to the split. It’ll throw this election, of course, but at least we won’t have the people who leave the party telling us what we need to believe in order to be a Republican anymore (which I still consider myself on a national level, btw… it’s only in Idaho politics that I feel closer to the Democrats).