The Green Party

[barry glisson]

I think Ralph Nader may have shot himself and the Green Party in the foot so far as future elections go. People will be afraid of this happening again so they will go with the major party closest to their view.Jmho http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif barry

[jeana]

If you look at it another way Barry, Gore ate into Nader's base. Nader didn't make his 5% either. Towards the end, I realized I didn't like the way he was spitefully aiming his rhetoric against Gore, but I still voted for him because I knew that Gore had my state wrapped up (and I support the concrete work Nader has done for consumers and the environment.)

I wouldn't waste sorrow over the votes given to Nader... the real shames are that so many people didn't vote at all, and the realization that the voting system is so poorly run and inaccurate that thousands of people all over the country who wanted to vote didn't get to vote, or didn't vote for the person they intended.

You're right that Nader may have hurt his party more than he helped it. Well, that was the risk of his negative politics.

[jokostel]

the odd thing is hew ISNT even a member of the party..just running for them...

jokostel

[Fingers]

It might indeed hurt 3rd parties in the future. But there's really not anymore to complain about this time than when Perot ran in '92.

Take away Perot (20%), and George Bush Sr. wins a second term in the White House, Bill Clinton fades into the Arkansas woodwork, Vince Foster is still alive, the Clintons don't move to NY and win a Senate seat, and ...who's Monica Lewinski???

In this election the absence of Nader from the ballot would have likely given Gore a clear win, and the absence of Buchanan would have given it clearly to Bush. Even Browne(LIB), Harris(SW), Phillips(CST), Hagelin(NTL), Moorehead(WWD), and McReynolds(SOC), each have enough votes to have changed the Florida outcome.

It's amazing how such simple things in life can change the future so much. Choose carefully!!!

[barry glisson]

Fingers thats my point it may cause the third party to completely disappear. I think that would be unfortunate. barry

[Fingers]

I'm thinking campaign finance reform might be the only answer, but will either the Democrats or Republicans ever try to make it fair for a 3rd party to have a legitimate shot at the Presidency... I think not.

[skai]

Fingers here in OZ third parties have no chance , the two major parties, who almost violenly oppose each other, give their preferance votes to each other to keep minor parties out.Compulsary voting,one vote to one candidate or party should be the law. skai