Americans may be ready to consider an independent political party for president. The current political environment in Washington is seen by many voters as toxic. This toxicity is often viewed as an outgrowth of increasingly bitter partisan politics. While President Barack Obama campaigned as a post-partisan candidate, he is a Democrat and his administration has been unable to transcend the partisan divide. Many voters are dissatisfied with him and with the Republican controlled Congress. For this reason, many favor a non partisan candidate.
There are other partisan groups that run candidates such as the Libertarians and the Greens, but neither has been successful at the federal level in getting candidates elected. Libertarians oppose government intervention in the economy and are usually for deregulation. They also favor allowing a high degree of personal liberty. Some will support drug legalization and decriminalizing prostitution.
Another alternative party, the Greens, supports legislation protecting the environment. In addition, they favor a progressive tax code and oppose most military interventions. The Greens are best remembered for the Ralph Nader campaign in 2000. He was a consumer advocate who ran for President and while he only got 2.7% of the national vote, he cleared five percent in several states.
Neither of these alternative parties however has commanded a great deal of electoral support. The Greens best presidential hopeful, Ralph Nader, garnered less than three percent of the vote in 2000. At the presidential level, the Libertarians have not cleared two percent in any one of the last three elections.
With Congress' approval rating at an all time low and the White House also becoming fairly unpopular, many Americans are hoping for a candidate who is not beholden to either of the major parties. Bipartisan bickering lowered the country's credit rating during debt ceiling debates. Many voters would like to transcend the partisan divide and find a leader who pragmatic and not ideological.
An independent political party would face an uphill battle in any campaign, but many non-partisan voters would like a candidate to step forward and run for office.
There are other partisan groups that run candidates such as the Libertarians and the Greens, but neither has been successful at the federal level in getting candidates elected. Libertarians oppose government intervention in the economy and are usually for deregulation. They also favor allowing a high degree of personal liberty. Some will support drug legalization and decriminalizing prostitution.
Another alternative party, the Greens, supports legislation protecting the environment. In addition, they favor a progressive tax code and oppose most military interventions. The Greens are best remembered for the Ralph Nader campaign in 2000. He was a consumer advocate who ran for President and while he only got 2.7% of the national vote, he cleared five percent in several states.
Neither of these alternative parties however has commanded a great deal of electoral support. The Greens best presidential hopeful, Ralph Nader, garnered less than three percent of the vote in 2000. At the presidential level, the Libertarians have not cleared two percent in any one of the last three elections.
With Congress' approval rating at an all time low and the White House also becoming fairly unpopular, many Americans are hoping for a candidate who is not beholden to either of the major parties. Bipartisan bickering lowered the country's credit rating during debt ceiling debates. Many voters would like to transcend the partisan divide and find a leader who pragmatic and not ideological.
An independent political party would face an uphill battle in any campaign, but many non-partisan voters would like a candidate to step forward and run for office.