Third parties and why their strategies suck

[The Dude]

I agree that the third party candidates should be trying to win local (including House district) positions before going to for the Senate/Presidency. States will even vote in independent governors so it's doable. They need to validate themselves locally before going for big elections.

Problem with these parties is no centralization and focus. Not surprising for libertarians, but the rest should manage this.

[Boris Johnson]

[Clarino]

Perhaps Philly is talking about Parliaments which make use of Proportional Representation, which doesn't include Wesminster.


Smaller parties find it easier to get representatives elected when proportional representation is used, which of course is why the Liberal Democrats favour it.

It is, sadly, responsible for some pretty unpleasant marginal parties gaining legitimacy by getting a few seats, such as the BNP in the European Parliament.

[The Dharma Bum]

[Sazari]

[Hyperion]

[OGPhilly]

Well these small parties can't win the presidency but they probably feel like running a presidential candidate is important to get national recogniton as a party. Perhaps it isn't really worth it.

[The Dharma Bum]

If they weren't involved in the presidential race most people wouldn't have even heard of them, instead we are discussing them on the internet.

Is that result valuable for grassroots political action?

That kind of national recognition is necessary in order to win local races.

[The Dharma Bum]

Anyway, people ought to vote for a candidate, not a party.

[stripe66506]

I'd prefer weaker candidates and stronger parties really.