While the presidential elections of 2008 are still three and a half years away, they should be at the forefront of thought for supporters of third parties. While our primary focus at this time should be the 2006 midterms, even those are targets because of their potential to build support for the '08 contest.

Why should '08 be different than elections before it? Well, every day into the internet age, we grow and increase in our understanding of how to properly use this new medium to its fullest potential. By 2008, most home users will have had over ten years' experience with the 'net; many will have more. Instead of being a "new toy", it will likely be our primary source for news and information. This makes providing information about candidates much more economically feasible. Although big money will try to control the presidential elections as it has before, the likely impending depression that will result if analyst predictions of $105/barrel oil are fulfilled, will drive many Americans to a general cynicism of big business.

Couple the above with the fact that this will represent the first time since 1928 that neither party is fielding an incumbent president or vice president for the office, and the election will basically be held on "neutral ground" politically speaking. Third parties will have almost equal potential to get the word out regarding their candidate.

While the potential exposure of third party candidates must be matched by media exposure, it is more than likely that the potential looming economic crisis will drive many Americans to search for solutions beyond the conventional candidates. And that can't be anything but good for the third parties.