Third-party candidates join McCain, Obama on U.S. ballots
While the mainstream media’s coverage obscures this fact, John McCain and Barack Obama aren’t the only politicians running for president of the United States in the 2008 general election.
Voters in New York, for instance, have five third-party options on November 4: Bob Barr (Libertarian), Róger Calero (Socialist Workers), Gloria La Riva (Socialism & Liberation), Cynthia McKinney (Green), and Ralph Nader (Populist).
If elected, McKinney would become the first black woman to hold the presidency. She served six-terms in Congress as a Democratic representative from Georgia. Together, McKinney and Green vice presidential nominee Rosa Clemente compose the first all-women-of-colour ticket to take a run at the White House.
As for Nader, this is his third major attempt to land the country’s highest office. Democrats blame Nader for Al Gore’s loss to George W. Bush in 2000, but the consumer advocate continues to challenge the “corrupt” two-party system, which he says keeps power in the hands of Democrats and Republicans who represent corporate interests.
These third-party candidates didn’t get a chance to participate in the widely followed televised debates featuring McCain and Obama, and vice presidential candidates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin. The Commission on Presidential Debates only admits candidates who have received the support of at least 15 percent of voters in national opinion polls.
McCain and Obama supporters in New York don’t have to vote for their candidate under the Democratic or Republican banner, due to the state’s fusion voting system. The Conservative and Independence parties have also nominated McCain, and the Working Families Party is backing Obama on the ballot.
New Yorkers can also vote for a write-in candidate.
Comments
2 Comments
JohnJudge
Oct 20, 2008 at 10:01pm
Thanks for at least discussing the fact that there are others running for president outside the two party system, since the mainstream media and the private corporation that controls the debates keep them invisible. 15% is a ridiculously high polling standard for candidates whose views are unknown to many Americans who are polled. A fairer standard would be those who have overcome the equally unfair obstacles needed to get on enough state ballots to win the electoral college if they won the popular vote in each of them. You fail to make clear the difference between an independent candidate and a third-party candidate, though. Cynthia McKinney and others are part of political parties, and if she gains 5% of the popular vote the party is recognized, funded substantially by the government, added into the next debate cycle automatically, and would get media coverage much more easily, or should. However, an independent candidate like Nader, even if he gets more than 5% of the vote, will not get that status, and it is therefore only a protest vote. A third party would begin to change the political dynamic and the transparency of government decisions here in America. Those progressives who live in areas where Obama is guaranteed to win should seriously consider voting for McKinney to help towards the 5% goal. Those afraid to vote for a third party should at least fund that campaign instead of the overfunded mainstream candidate, and vote Green Party down ticket. Everyone should vote their values or else their values will never be realized. Without a third party in place there is no fire to hold any new president's feet to for real change. Thanks again for your article. John Judge, press secretary, Power to the People Committee, McKinney/Clemente 2008
dionysius
Oct 23, 2008 at 12:06am
If you want to see real change, vote Mckinney. If she wins (not likely) there's going to be alot of you know what hitting the fan. She asks alot of questions and demands answers, that 's going to reveal alot about how far the system has been corrupted to the masses. This is what is needed even if people don't like what they hear.