Quote:
Originally Posted by Miss Modular
I think they have a real opportunity to appeal to some the more disgruntled Republicans (just as Nader appealed to progressives who didn't want to vote for Al Gore in 2000), and some of the left that isn't fond of Hilary.
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I agree. As I've said in other discussions here with Preechr, I think the Libertarian Party is situated to be the strongest third party this country has seen in a long time. The reasons, imo, are as follows:
1. They actually have a foundation in theory, and
really provide a "third way" (pardon the pun). Now, I do believe Bubba's concerns are valid. It could become really sexy for unhappy Republicans to start calling themselves "Libertarians" (sort of how everybody is a "progressive" now), which could possibly drown out any substance the party had. But eh, this is the way it goes. The most successful third parties in our nation's history found ways to draw from
both of the two major parties, and managed to mesh those ideas together with something that's digestable for a "plurality" of Americans.
2. They have truly been a grassroots party. Parties like the Green Party like to
think they are, but they are far too focused on wasting energy and resources on federal elections (granted, Nader 2000 helped increase the size of the party all across the country, but many of those folks have since walked away from the party due to poorly structured local systems, and the inability of the party to win local offices).
The Libertarian Party to this point has prioritized a 50 state balot strategy. They do nominate candidates for president, but as far as I can tell, they don't invest in it the way other third parties have. They win local offices, city offices, and political appointments. But more impressively, they make sure that voters in every state see that they ae an option on the ballot.
3. The time is ripe for a third party to thrive. People are down on government across the board, and ar tired of the apparent inability of Washington insiders to handle Iraq, lower gas prices, control the borders, "fix" the public trust in the economy, etc. etc. Pick your issue.
So along comes a party that proposes a crazy notion-- People in DC aren't going to fix your "problems", YOU are. In fact, get government out of your life (at least to the levels it has taken), let freedom and iberty prevail, and the rest will sort itself out. Make sure the government is securing our borders and killing our enemies. That's about it.
That's my take anyway.
I guess my question to the Libertarians on the board is this-- Do you want to see the LP
replace a major party, or do you truly want a Western Europe-style, multi-party system....?