Recipe For A Successful 3rd Party

CHUQ · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 5:52 am Post subject: Recipe For A Successful 3rd Party

Just a little something I threw together to offer up for discussion.

RECIPE FOR A SUCCESSFUL THIRD PARTY

The US there has been lots of third parties and candidates, but most have been unsuccessful because many reason. THe following is, in my opinion, a recipe for a third party to be used if it wants to be successful in its endeavors. For years these paries have been plagued by a one issue platform, or a weak leader or other problems that have help it be defeated in the polls.

A successful third party has to function on many levels from supporting local projects to implimenting foreign policy. All parties that attempt to qualify for the American democratic process should have the following characteristics.

Leadership Recruitment--A party leader must command respect of all within the party. He/she should have common interests as the party, be capable of giving the party public attention and have a grasp on the function of government. Above he/she must have the interest of the party as the foremost ideal.

Common interests--the party must become the mediator on a wide range of political interests. The best way to do this is to set up an internal party apparatus that will define, present, discuss, compromise and correlate ideas and stances.

Policy Formulation--Once the ideals of the party are defined then the part, once the peoples desires are identified then it comes to the party apparatus to formulate policies. Once the platform is set then the party goes about educating the people on those policies. It is imperative that the people's voices be heard and acted on--the people must set the agenda.

Campaigning--THis is probably the most single important aspect of running a party candidate. Granted third parties typically do not have the funds as the two majors, but it must try and keep up with the others, by using media advisers, polling, direct mailings and other professionals. Putting together a grassroots organization can help lighten some of the monetary burden. Another excellent tool in campaigning is the door to door approach. This gives the people a chance to talk with a supporter to help clarify any misunderstandings. This also will use volunteers and would lessen the monetary load.

Governing--Lastly, the party must function on the permise that it will win the election and in doing so, must be prepared totally to govern. The candidate must have a complete grasp of what his functions will be and be the most capable person to carry out those functions. In a word--A Strong Leader With Confidence.

I realize this is a bit simplistic but It is a good outline for a party, a third party, to follow. If followed religiously, the party would have better chance than those of the past.

CHUQ
30/12/06
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Rupchuk · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:15 am Post subject:

I think a big part of the problem is people want a third party but they don't want to wait, they want it to spring up instantly at the national level. Shouldn't a new party work at the local levels and move to the national level over time after it has built up a base of support?

Just vote libertarian. Razz

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CHUQ · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 3:41 am Post subject:

Rupchuk wrote:

I think a big part of the problem is people want a third party but they don't want to wait, they want it to spring up instantly at the national level. Shouldn't a new party work at the local levels and move to the national level over time after it has built up a base of support?

Just vote libertarian. Razz

That would be the ideal tactic to use, local, state and then national. I call into question that the voter really does want change. They call for it, constantly, but yet they continue to support the bozos in the two parties. I think it is whining and when time to vote they go with the standards.
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Segep · Maintenance Man Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 775 votes: 4

It's hard to break out of the either/or mindset.

Rupchuk · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 11:46 pm Post subject:

There is a lot of the 'lesser of two evils' and 'wasted vote' arguments going around. If people don't know that there is a third option and that it has a chance of winning they aren't going to vote for it.

I chalk it up to ignorance and apathy. Most Americans think civic duty is going to the polls every election day, pulling a lever, and that's it. They bitch and moan about how the government doesn't represent them but they don't hold the civil servants' feet to the fire. What do you think is going to happen when you tell someone to do something and only check up on them every 2, 4, or 6 years?
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"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."

Amadeo · Civilian Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 3 votes: 1

New Zealand got rid of its " First Past the Post " " Two Party " system about 12 years ago. Like several European Countries, we now have an electoral system where governments mostly have to be coalitions - with a dominant party and its main agenda ( Labour Party = Democrat and Natiobal Party = Republican ) but whichever party is in power it requires a coalition partner or partners for confidence and supply.

I have always wondered at how the US system works - especially with the electoral colleges Smile

Maybe the third party option could be a Confidence, Supply and Initiative party - so its actual scope of operation is quite focused - therefore the voting publics will always have some idea of how it will behave once in a position of power, ie, it wont shoot off on its own with any radical legislative agenda.

trivium666fan · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:55 pm Post subject:

Rupchuk wrote:

There is a lot of the 'lesser of two evils' and 'wasted vote' arguments going around. If people don't know that there is a third option and that it has a chance of winning they aren't going to vote for it.

I chalk it up to ignorance and apathy. Most Americans think civic duty is going to the polls every election day, pulling a lever, and that's it. They bitch and moan about how the government doesn't represent them but they don't hold the civil servants' feet to the fire. What do you think is going to happen when you tell someone to do something and only check up on them every 2, 4, or 6 years?

I completely agree with you. Mostly the apathy part. Many Americans just don't truly care. They will complain, and even go off on enormous rants sometimes, about what is going on, but if given the ability to make change, they do nothing. Most don't even know what "civic duty" means! Let alone care. It's ridiculous.

The ignorance part is also very true. Many people always complain about the lesser of two evils all the time, but don't really know that there is a green party! Or any other party for that matter. And some people do know, but again, their apathy steps in and stops them from voting for a new party for once.
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CHUQ · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:48 am Post subject:

IMO, NO vote is wasted and we can eliminate the "lesser of two evils" but it will take the courage of conviction and I just do not think that Americans voters have that courage.
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trivium666fan · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:55 am Post subject:

CHUQ wrote:

IMO, NO vote is wasted and we can eliminate the "lesser of two evils" but it will take the courage of conviction and I just do not think that Americans voters have that courage.

American voters don't have that courage. They are stuck in the 2-party system where they think they are on either one side or the other because everything else doesn't focus on them.
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"Revolution is a means by which one group of idiots displaces the predominant group of idiots."

CHUQ · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:55 pm Post subject:

Politics has taken on the whole winner-loser thing that is so in our societry.
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