Third Party Candidates

[emzhengjiu]

As of now at least, I'm not voting for either McCain or Obama. Would anyone who's voting for a third party candidate tell me who and why. This is the first time I probably won't be voting for one of the two primary candidates! Thanks so much.

[milovaný]

If I don't vote McCain (a very real possibility) I'm waffling between writing in Ron Paul (http://www.campaignforliberty.com/mission/)-- no explanation needed if you research his stance on the issues -- and voting for Constitution Party candidate Chuck Baldwin because of his commitment to, uh, the Constitution. I just realized that since either action will have about the same effect on the election over all, I'll probably write in Ron Paul since I believe he'd be the best man for the job.

[Krista in LA]

If I don't vote McCain (a very real possibility) I'm waffling between writing in Ron Paul (http://www.campaignforliberty.com/mission/)-- no explanation needed if you research his stance on the issues -- and voting for Constitution Party candidate Chuck Baldwin because of his commitment to, uh, the Constitution. I just realized that since either action will have about the same effect on the election over all, I'll probably write in Ron Paul since I believe he'd be the best man for the job.

:iagree:

Except mine isn't an "if" I don't vote McCain - I won't be voting for him. My top choices right now are Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin, or Bob Barr. I think any of those three really would represent my conservative, constitution loving views far better than the two main candidates.

If you want to know more about Baldwin, I enjoyed reading this article about if he were president - http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2008/cbarchive_20080502.html

[Jugglin'5]

:iagree:

Except mine isn't an "if" I don't vote McCain - I won't be voting for him. My top choices right now are Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin, or Bob Barr. I think any of those three really would represent my conservative, constitution loving views far better than the two main candidates.

If you want to know more about Baldwin, I enjoyed reading this article about if he were president - http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2008/cbarchive_20080502.html

Ditto, though I'm not sure I could vote for Barr.

[milovaný]

Except mine isn't an "if" I don't vote McCain

Yea, mine's a pretty big IF! I voted for Peroutka eight years ago and campaigned for RP this go 'round. I'm not exactly sure if we'll have a write in option on our ballots; each state can be different. If it won't be *recorded* that I wrote in RP (such as if there's no official write in option), I'm likely to vote for Baldwin; I want it recorded as a third party vote, not a non-vote.

[nakitty]

I'm not voting for a third party...but am not opposed to voting for one if they stand a good chance of winning... if *I* were to feel they would make the best candidate. However, when they don't stand a chance I don't really understand the point of voting for someone I *KNOW* will not win....JMO, of course.

[Jenn in Mo]

Ron Paul without a doubt. And, while I know he has a snow ball's chance, if EVERYONE who says "Wow- I can't stand the thought of voting for the two candidates!" wrote in and voted their conscience instead, he'd have a very LIKELY chance. I have yet to hear a single person say they liked either mainstream candidate. So, if all these people voted accordingly, a third party would be a shoe-in. But everyone is convinced it's pointless and so would rather not vote at all than to waste their time.

[nakitty]

Ron Paul without a doubt. And, while I know he has a snow ball's chance, if EVERYONE who says "Wow- I can't stand the thought of voting for the two candidates!" wrote in and voted their conscience instead, he'd have a very LIKELY chance. I have yet to hear a single person say they liked either mainstream candidate. So, if all these people voted accordingly, a third party would be a shoe-in. But everyone is convinced it's pointless and so would rather not vote at all than to waste their time.

Ummm...I think a lot of people have stated they like Obama and McCain...

And, *IF* I were considering voting for a 3rd party....it would NOT NOT NOT be Ron Paul! Which, I suppose, is the bigger issue....there are so many 3rd party candidates...that, that alone, would divide the votes up to the point that none of them are particularly viable candidates.

[emzhengjiu]

There have been times in the past when I've voted for the "better" of two candidates even though I didn't particularly like either. But this time I feel strongly about both McCain and Obama. After much prayer, I decided to vote the way I believe best regardless. Now I have to decide who among the multitude of others should get my vote hence my question.

[Peek a Boo]

a few thoughts about why I encourage voting third party here:

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50525

I'm between Krista in LA and jugglin 5 --- Ron Paul gets my top choice. If he says "don't write me in" then I'll choose The Constitution Party.

oh --and the WHY:
I like Ron Paul's Constitutional record. I don't necessarily agree w/ him about everything [including pro-life issues], but I admire his integrity a LOT.

[Krista in LA]

I'm not voting for a third party...but am not opposed to voting for one if they stand a good chance of winning... if *I* were to feel they would make the best candidate. However, when they don't stand a chance I don't really understand the point of voting for someone I *KNOW* will not win....JMO, of course.

Well, I'll be voting 3rd party because 1) I can't in good conscience vote for either of the major party candidates and 2) I can't even say that one is a lesser evil than the other. In the past, I have voted the lesser of two evils because there was always one candidate that I really did not want in office. This time, there are two candidates that I don't want in office so I'm going to voice my disapproval in the form of a vote for someone I do approve of. I just wish more people would do the same.

[Mad Jenny Flint]

I will be voting third party (at least most likely, after doing my research- the kids and I will take time each morning to discuss a political issue and where the candidates stand). I'd love it if the Libertarian Party were able to send a clear message (to quote Dr. Seuss) "We are here, we are here, we are here, WE ARE HERE!"

[Jenn in Mo]

Ummm...I think a lot of people have stated they like Obama and McCain...

And, *IF* I were considering voting for a 3rd party....it would NOT NOT NOT be Ron Paul! Which, I suppose, is the bigger issue....there are so many 3rd party candidates...that, that alone, would divide the votes up to the point that none of them are particularly viable candidates.

I didn't mean to imply NO ONE liked them...just no one I've spoken with. And I've spoken with a lot of people about this, so it is fascinating to me that out of all of them, no one likes the options. But, of course, I live in rural Missouri, so we're not exactly representing the same views you'd find everywhere else. I know this. And I know that not everyone is going to write in Ron Paul. I was stating that he was my choice and that *if* those people voted Ron Paul he would have a chance. It was a hypothetical. But, like I said, I know that he has a snow ball's chance in...well, ya know. Sorry, I guess I didn't state my views very well.