Third Parties Stand to Gain Much in 2006

Published on January 27, 2005 By Gideon MacLeish In Politics

I have been doing a lot of work strategizing for third party strategies for 2006, as I feel it is a key election, especially in building for the 2008 presidential elections. With the Democrats and Republicans as polarized as they are, a well organized third party effort stands a fair chance of gaining the position of power in the House and Senate.

I am not submitting or even suggesting that a third party has any chance of gaining a MAJORITY in either chamber. But with the realistic possibilities of an evenly divided House and Senate, or even one with a small majority either way, all a third party would need to do is gain enough seats to cover the margin plus one of the majority party and the minority party. For instance:

If 2006 results in 48 Republican Senators and 47 Democrats, if four of the remaining five are of the same third party, they hold the balance of power. Both the Republicans and Democrats must court them to gain a majority. The same principle exists for the House, only in larger numbers.

So, a sound third party strategy for 2006 would include:

1. Identify districts where you have polled well historically. Find electable candidates for the House of Representatives, and funnel ALL of your efforts (monetary and otherwise) in these districts. Similarly, in the Senate, find areas where Senators who agree with your core beliefs have run strong and do the same.

2. Lobby strong ideaologues with a large constituency that are already in the House and Senate to your cause.

3. Cease infighting between your own members and realize that the common effort is worth more than your individual "pet" ideologies.

4. Repeat step 3 as often as necessary.

5. Lead with your strong issues. Do not compromise on your less popular platform issues, just don't LEAD with these issues. Voter confidence is key to winning these elections.

6. Focus on winning, not just on "making a statement". If you plan to lose, it will be readily apparent to your supporters.

I hope these suggestions give some ideas to third party supporters. I encourage you to pass these suggestions on to your third party leaders (preferably with my byline and email address of: gideon.macleish@gmail.com), so that we can work together to change the face of American politics in 2006.

Respectfully submitted,

Gideon MacLeish

Comments (Page 2)

bakerstreet

on Jan 28, 2005

David: I dunno, I think in terms of the green party and some others you may be right, but I think the Libertarian party has a solid percentage of conservatives as well.

Sure, on some moral issues Republicans differ with Libertarians, but think of all the governmental-control issues that Libertarians have with Dems. Taxation, Gun Control, any number of things.

G.M. is more of an expert than me on the subject, but I think he'd agree that the Dems would have at least as hard a time with a strong Libertarian party as Republicans.

Gideon MacLeish

on Jan 28, 2005

I will believe the hype about 3rd parties coming on if they win any election. You are talking about them being a force when right now they have no strength in congress or any statehouse offices. The only major candidate from a 3rd party to win an election was Jesse Ventura. That's one and he's not there anymore.

Whoman,

For one, this is not *hype* about a third party. I am a serious, devoted Libertarian, and this article was written with the intent of helping to provide a road map for third parties to BUILD support. What I am overly tired with is defeatist attitudes (especially when they come from OUTSIDE the party), and the whiny, simpering mentality of most of America who clamor for "something better" but refuse to do their part in BUILDING something better.

I believe, and my articles are building up to the point of me explaining why, that the Libertarian Party offers the best real choice of a banner behind which third parties can rally. My buildup is slow, yes, but it is deliberate and methodical, and I am trying to build a solid enough argument to attract the interest of the national party. I believe I have ideas to offer them to that end.

Anyway, David, as for Soros using the LP to sabotage Republicans, Baker's sort of right. However, there is some validity to the idea, as if the LP held enough seats to sway the balance, it WOULD restore some legitimacy to the DNC.

To further my "roadmap", I feel that third parties should do a cost analysis of effective campaigns in House districts where they have run strong traditionally (in other words, find places where their money will do the most good). For the LP, it would likely be rural districts in Nevada, Wyoming, and such states; for the Greens, areas like southern California come to mind. While the Senate is a harder goal, I believe a goal of 20 House seats would be realistic for a national party with widespread support, such as the LP or the Greens. And it would be a foot in the door towards legitimacy for their party.

Suspeckted

on Jan 28, 2005

Do you even know who she is?

I admit that I do not, please enlighten me.

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