How many would flock to a new party?

[Hubbs]

The Democrats and the Republicans have a strangehold on the federal government that doesn't seem destined to fall apart anytime soon, even with the apparent fractures within the GOP at the moment. And while much of America seems to accept both the system and the two parties that dominate it without much of a second thought, my personal interactions have led me to believe that if a strong third party were to emerge, and there was a general consensus that it really could establish itself as a major player in national politics and perhaps even replace one of the older parties, a large number of people would be very interested in this new party, simply because it would not be one of the big two. So many seem to be sick of both the Dems and the Reps that they want a realistic different choice simply for the purpose of sticking it to both of the older groups, nas long as the policies aren't completely absurd (the Communist Party of America doesn't count, for example).

Like I said, however, this feeling comes more from my personal experience than anything else. So I want to toss an open-ended question to ES and see what others have to say. If a legitimate challenger to the Democrats and Republicans were to arrive on the scene in the next, say, 20 years - let's pretend that it was backed by a few famous, very committed billionaires who really had the capacity to overcome many of the hurdles typical third parties face - and that party had policies that Americans could generally agree with, do you think there's a large chunk of the population that would be open to changing its voting allegiance? Or do you believe that the two mainstream parties are too ingrained in our collective political train of thought to really give anyone else a fighting chance?

[Spaceman Spiff]

I'd be down.

Thing is that everyones too pissed off at the Dems and Republicans and will want everything their way. 3rd party means a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

[Mass_SkinsFan]

For me it would really depend on the platform of this new party. If they're simply different versions of what we already have then no thanks.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

For me it would really depend on the platform of this new party. If they're simply different versions of what we already have then no thanks.

Are there any liberal values that you would be cool with if you were to join a third party?

[PokerPacker]

I am so pissed off with party politics that I refuse to join a party even if they follow my political philosophies. I'll stay independent, thank-you.

[PeterMP]

When it comes right down to it, probably very few. Whatever the third party took on some issues, it would not make some people happy. Given the choice to stay with a party they aren't completely happy w/, but know, most people aren't going to make the effort to switch to another they aren't completely happy with.

[Mass_SkinsFan]

Are there any liberal values that you would be cool with if you were to join a third party?

In a word...... HELL NO!!!

(ok that's two words)

[Fergasun]

Let's start a party for people under 40 and call it "The Future Party"... of course people older could be in, but it would be a party worried about long term rather than right now...

[Smoot Point Really]

I'd like to stay Republican and have all the non-conservatives to form some other party.

[Toe Jam]

I don't currently have a party.

I'm riding the fence.

But I am voting for Obama this year.

[Seabee1973]

Why do you need billionares to run a party that is the same thing as what is going on now.

[dcnativenerd]

Eh, even if the party had good ideals, they're bound to go the same route as the Dems and Republicans.

[SkinsHokieFan]

Here is one

More work has been done on the platform and website

www.libertypartyusa.com

[DCSaints_fan]

The problem is that since we have first past the post voting you invariable have to chose the lesser of two evils.

I would support a party solely on their basis to implement IRV or some other Condorcet voting system in the federal elections.

[JWB]

The problem is that since we have first past the post voting you invariable have to chose the lesser of two evils.

I would support a party solely on their basis to implement IRV or some other Condorcet voting system in the federal elections.

Exactly, it is impossible for more than 2 parties to be competitive in our system. There isn't really any point.

[Midnight Judges]

You're going to find a lot more disillusioned Republicans right now with whom you can form your party. If you want to know who they are on ES they're the ones saying "all politicians suck and are corrupt." LOL I don't blame them given the circumstances. I'm quite happy with the Democrats at the moment and I'll be even happier with liberals dominating the house, senate, whitehouse, and hopefully the supreme court. America seems to agree.

[LApunkrocker72]

It would depend on that party's platform.

However, I am all for a three-party or four-party system. If we had a legit third party and fourth party, I think that would get both the Democrats and Republicans off their complacent high horse and get back to what they are supposed to do, which is serve the people of this country.

And with a legit third and fourth party, we would have more of a true democracy.

[Oldskool]

The Democrats and the Republicans have a strangehold on the federal government that doesn't seem destined to fall apart anytime soon, even with the apparent fractures within the GOP at the moment. And while much of America seems to accept both the system and the two parties that dominate it without much of a second thought, my personal interactions have led me to believe that if a strong third party were to emerge, and there was a general consensus that it really could establish itself as a major player in national politics and perhaps even replace one of the older parties, a large number of people would be very interested in this new party, simply because it would not be one of the big two. So many seem to be sick of both the Dems and the Reps that they want a realistic different choice simply for the purpose of sticking it to both of the older groups, nas long as the policies aren't completely absurd (the Communist Party of America doesn't count, for example).

Like I said, however, this feeling comes more from my personal experience than anything else. So I want to toss an open-ended question to ES and see what others have to say. If a legitimate challenger to the Democrats and Republicans were to arrive on the scene in the next, say, 20 years - let's pretend that it was backed by a few famous, very committed billionaires who really had the capacity to overcome many of the hurdles typical third parties face - and that party had policies that Americans could generally agree with, do you think there's a large chunk of the population that would be open to changing its voting allegiance? Or do you believe that the two mainstream parties are too ingrained in our collective political train of thought to really give anyone else a fighting chance?

So what you're trying to say is that there isn't another smaller party already that encompasses your views? Considering the breadth and scale of the different parties in the American landscape, I find that hard to believe.

[Seabee1973]

You're going to find a lot more disillusioned Republicans right now with whom you can form your party. If you want to know who they are on ES they're the ones saying "all politicians suck and are corrupt." LOL I don't blame them given the circumstances. I'm quite happy with the Democrats at the moment and I'll be even happier with liberals dominating the house, senate, whitehouse, and hopefully the supreme court. America seems to agree.

Not if you look at congress approval ratings which has gone down since the democrats retook control

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Not if you look at congress approval ratings which has gone down since the democrats retook control

So it's a lock that it's the Democrats fault that Congress' approval ratings have continued to drop?

[FanboyOf91]

It'd be nice if this new party could actually gain power in some states through grassroots movements. With that, getting seats in Congress and holding them wouldn't be such an obstacle to their long-term survival. Money alone won't cut it, though it helps a lot.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Besides some minor issues..I'm pretty satisfied with the Democratic Party.

[Renegade7]

I know it will probably never happen, but I'd love to see our government made up of people with absolutly no political party affiliation. True, pure independents. They already have other politcal parties, but they don't seem to take electiond as seriously as the Dems or Republicans. I remember thinking to myself when Nader announced he was running again, "what the hell took you so long? Your late!".

[@DCGoldPants]

I believe a Centrist Party would take away more from the Dems than the GOP.

But..... I think if it was legit then in 2-4 election cycles. They would be a major player.

They'd need to focus on winning Governorships and Senate seats for awhile.

[twa]

Always open to more choices

I don't flock though.