Third Party Candidates May Cause Trouble for Biden or Trump
Feb 15, 2024
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Ralph Nader, former presidential candidate, discusses the impact of third-party candidates on the general election. The rise of 'double-haters' and their dislike for Biden and Trump is explored. The potential influence of third-party candidates and centrist groups like No Labels are examined. The challenge of establishing a viable third party is also discussed.
Third-party candidates face significant roadblocks in the U.S. electoral system and often act as spoilers, potentially changing the outcome of the election.
Creating a viable third party in the American political landscape is challenging due to limited voter support, lack of funding, and the dominance of the two-party system.
Deep dives
Third-Party Candidates and the American Electoral System
Third-party candidates face significant roadblocks in the U.S. electoral system. Ralph Nader, a consumer advocate, first ran in 1996 as a third-party candidate representing the Green Party. He highlights the challenges of getting on the ballot, as access is often more difficult for third parties compared to Democratic and Republican candidates. While third-party candidates can mobilize voters who feel left out of the system, data suggests that they can also act as spoilers, potentially changing the outcome of the election. The current two-party system leaves many voters feeling unrepresented, but without structural changes and grassroots momentum, third-party candidates face limited chances of success.
The Rise of No Labels
No Labels, a group aiming to capture moderate voters from both parties, presents a different approach to third-party politics. Instead of leading with a compelling candidate or platform, No Labels offers an option that is not Biden and not Trump. While the group claims to see an opening for an independent ticket in 2024, skeptics argue that without structural changes and more grassroots support, groups like No Labels do not have a realistic chance of success. Furthermore, some critics believe that voting strategically in a close election often leads voters to choose between the two major parties instead of opting for a third-party candidate.
The Challenge of Creating a Viable Third Party
Creating a viable third party in the American political landscape is a complex endeavor. Polls indicate that many Americans support the idea of a viable third party, yet they rarely vote for one due to the belief that only Democratic or Republican nominees have a chance of winning. Major donors also play a significant role, as they tend to support the two major parties to ensure a return on investment. Without the support of big money donors, third-party candidates struggle to gain traction and often face challenges in funding their campaigns. The entrenched two-party system remains dominant, leaving limited room for a viable third party to emerge.
American voters are so disillusioned by their options in the presidential election that pollsters have come up with a term for it: “Double-hater.” These are people who don’t like President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump, who leads the race for the GOP nomination. And yet, when asked by the Big Take DC podcast if an outsider candidate could break through in 2024, Ralph Nader, who ran for president outside the two major parties four times, gave a simple, “No.” Still, there are some indications that third-party candidates could cause trouble for the frontrunners.
In this episode of Big Take DC, we examine the impact an outsider candidate could have on the general election and efforts from groups like No Labels to offer a viable alternative.