Monday, June 14, 2004
The Electoral College: Hidden boon for third parties?
I've been thinking about the suggestion that Nader select Kerry's electors, so that a vote for Nader is a vote for Kerry. A brilliant idea---and amazing that no one has thought of it before. Because anyone who wants to build a third party can do it!
A couple of points:
1. The main barrier to getting a respectable number of votes as a third party candidate is the lack of a party organization and recognizable party label. Third party candidates tend to underestimate the importance of parties (indeed, their disdain for party politics often is a factor in the choosing to run). If you really wanted to build a new force in politics that could (someday) contest the presidency, you'd put most of your resources into races you could win. You'd target region and local offices, try to get into the House and eventually the Senate. Sure, you'd run a presidential candidate, but knowing he will lose, you'd put more resources where you can build up a party that could someday hope to pass one of the two heavies---and thus take its place.
2. The next biggest barrier is people's fear of wasting their votes. Nader tends to take from the ideologically closest party, the Dems. So Naderites, by expressing their support for a more lefty party, end up helping the righties! Get rid of this problem, and people can express their true preferences and avoid their worst fears. A candidate using this strategy is still unlikely to win, but will get enough votes to qualify for federal funds (helping build the party), and will show the establishment he can mobilize support, making it easier to recruit and run serious candidates for lower office.
In short, by pointing your electors at a major party, you can use the Electoral College to pull your party into the big leagues---or at least AAA ball.
Now sure, the two major parties aren't going to sit idly by; they'll try to change the rules while they still control the game. But at least this gimmick gives a third party a fighting chance. Why not give it a shot Ralph? And if not you, surely someone else?
A couple of points:
1. The main barrier to getting a respectable number of votes as a third party candidate is the lack of a party organization and recognizable party label. Third party candidates tend to underestimate the importance of parties (indeed, their disdain for party politics often is a factor in the choosing to run). If you really wanted to build a new force in politics that could (someday) contest the presidency, you'd put most of your resources into races you could win. You'd target region and local offices, try to get into the House and eventually the Senate. Sure, you'd run a presidential candidate, but knowing he will lose, you'd put more resources where you can build up a party that could someday hope to pass one of the two heavies---and thus take its place.
2. The next biggest barrier is people's fear of wasting their votes. Nader tends to take from the ideologically closest party, the Dems. So Naderites, by expressing their support for a more lefty party, end up helping the righties! Get rid of this problem, and people can express their true preferences and avoid their worst fears. A candidate using this strategy is still unlikely to win, but will get enough votes to qualify for federal funds (helping build the party), and will show the establishment he can mobilize support, making it easier to recruit and run serious candidates for lower office.
In short, by pointing your electors at a major party, you can use the Electoral College to pull your party into the big leagues---or at least AAA ball.
Now sure, the two major parties aren't going to sit idly by; they'll try to change the rules while they still control the game. But at least this gimmick gives a third party a fighting chance. Why not give it a shot Ralph? And if not you, surely someone else?
