Where my 3rd party people at?

[Deleted]

I know you're out there. Don't be shy. C'mon in and let's congregate, discuss why/why-not our votes are "throwaways," and if Rand Paul is indeed cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.

<--- Libertarian here who won't vote for Rand or Ted, and believes there is still time for someone viable to show up... maybe.

[msmerymac]

The 2016 election will be the first time I really have to walk the line and decide if voting for the "lesser of two evils" is where I want to put my vote, or if I find a 3rd party candidate (most likely Green) whom I want to vote for more. It's because I live in a sort of purple state now (and we didn't even have a senatorial election in 2014). My husband waves it off and says, "Nah, PA goes blue, no matter how they spin it."

Of course, 3rd party candidates won't be lined up for about a year, and I have no idea who the Dem nominee will be. HRC has never excited me, though. I didn't even vote for her when she ran for the senate. (I voted Green! No way was I voting for Lazio, either.)

[IIOY]

PA will go blue so my vote won't matter. Nevertheless, I honestly haven't paid much attention to any of this yet because it's too damn early and I hate the 19m campaign season. All of these people need to go crawl into a hole and emerge in September, 2016.

ETA: sorry for my unnecessarily crotchety post, LOL. I'm just so irritated that some people are already having meltdowns about 2016. I guess my political junkie days are over. ::pours one out for my angry youth::

[alexithymia]

Another Libertarian checking in. I voted for Johnson in the last election. I had the privilege of listening to my dad lecture me about how I had thrown my vote away. I just can't get behind this "vote for the lesser of two evils" idea. That just feels like the American people are OK with rolling over and taking it, just because that's the way it has always been done. I think the political environment would hugely improve if we start getting away from the two party system.

[darnkatz]

Green party lady checking in. I'm probably voting Jill Stein this time around again if she runs.

[Deleted]

Mar 30, 2015 11:00:56 GMT -5 alexithymia said:

Another Libertarian checking in. I voted for Johnson in the last election. I had the privilege of listening to my dad lecture me about how I had thrown my vote away. I just can't get behind this "vote for the lesser of two evils" idea. That just feels like the American people are OK with rolling over and taking it, just because that's the way it has always been done. I think the political environment would hugely improve if we start getting away from the two party system.

I want to like this many times. This is exactly my stance on it. I'm given one vote, and I'd consider it thrown away if I vote for someone who doesn't meet my standards. The way I can convey my displeasure is by voting for none of the above sacks of shit. 

[sugarglider]

I would have voted for Johnson in 2012, but I was in Ohio.

As I'm once again in a solidly blue state, I anticipate voting on the L (unless I really like the R or dislike the L).

[sporky]

I've voted 3rd party in the past, may or may not in 2016- I'll see how things play out over the next year. I never consider voting your conscience to be throwing your vote away.

[pixy0stix]

I just want a candidate that will make climate change their #1 issue. Is that too much to ask? Which aligns me with the green party. I used to be a more liberal libertarian, but that's changed as my priorities have changed.

::grumble grumble::

[StrawberryBlondie]

Ive voted 3rd party in the past and would consider doing it again in the right circumstances. As it is, my state is always blue but usually close enough that id be uncomfortable voting 3rd party. The last time i did so a lot of other people did too and we ended up with Tim Pawlenty as governor. I will never be convinced my Tim Penny vote didn't help make that happen.

[open24hours]

I have voted 3rd party in the past. I'm in California, so my one vote isn't going to change anything. I might vote 3rd party in 2016. I'm kind of disillusioned with Dem candidates coming to Ca for money, but not doing anything to court my vote.

[SwimDeep]

yeah...I'm in Georgia, so I don't hold on to any romantic notion that my third party vote makes a difference. Makes me feel good, though

I'm not feeling any candidates so far...I imagine that will change as we get closer to the actual race.

[earlgreyhot]

Maybe I'll write myself in.

#dcvoter

[Velar Fricative]

Mar 30, 2015 12:23:16 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I just want a candidate that will make climate change their #1 issue. Is that too much to ask? Which aligns me with the green party. I used to be a more liberal libertarian, but that's changed as my priorities have changed.

::grumble grumble::

I just thought of something - imagine if this scandal ruins HRC and Al Gore decides to make a comeback and we have Bush v. Gore in 2016?

Sorry to have just caused nightmares for many of you.

[josieposy]

If Gore debated while standing on a scissor lift it would be hilarious.

[KateAggie]

My likelihood of voting 3rd party has grown exponentially. I was a likely HRC voter before this latest info. I'm in TX, so yeah, it doesn't "matter", but it does to me.

[vlagrl]

This may be the first time I vote for a 3rd party depending who the candidate is. Last election I voted Republican, but now I'm just kinda over the Rs with the whole repeal and replace obamacare. Fox news annoys me now.

[teengirlsquad]

I vote third party - I often write in candidates because I refuse to vote for someone I don't believe in. I will not vote for the "lesser of two evils." I also don't believe I am throwing my vote away, because if no one ever votes for third parties then the third parties really will never get anywhere. I also live in the solid south, so my vote for a third party does slightly more for them then it would if I vote R or D.
I suppose I'm a libertarian, but I really vary candidate to candidate and don't fit in any real parties. I'm politically complicated.

[Velar Fricative]

Mar 30, 2015 13:20:28 GMT -5 @happybythekilowatt said:

I would be a third party voter but I live in Oklahoma. Womp womp.

Isn't that a really safe state in which to vote third party? Or maybe you mean that OK doesn't allow third-party candidates on the ballot? 

But FYI, I don't begrudge anyone for voting third party even in a swing state. 

[EloiseWeenie]

I voted 3rd party last election. I wish there are more politicians who aren't smarmy assholes.

[saz]

I guess I'm a libertarian. I did vote for Johnson last pres election. I'm strongly in favor of breaking away from the two party system so I will continue to proudly "throw away" my vote for a third party candidate. I vote for the candidate I think represents me and my interests best, not the one I'm least afraid of from D or R.

[NewOrleans]

I may as well confess that I voted for Gary Johnson and 2012. I was furious with Pres. Obama about inflicting Arnie Duncan on us with his tainted vision for education and I was also pretty upset about drones. I wouldn't vote for a Romney/Ryan ticket ever, not ever, nor any Republican zealot.

I rode the Ron Paul train  For a while in 08 but there were ultimately too many red flags that he would move us in he direction we'd already been going as opposed to a refreshing priority.  I'm glad, too, because he's proven himself nutty since and just another anti choicer in Libertarian clothing.  

[Cicero]

I've voted for the libratarian candidate in the past but I was in NY and my vote didn't matter. I've become a lot more of one since then but I've also moved to a more competitive state. I'm not sure I would do it again.

[Deleted]

Another person checking in! I'm a former libertarian, turned I guess conservative Democrat? I took a tax class about 5 years ago that completely changed my views on taxes.

I dunno what I'm gonna do in the upcoming election. Unless some miracle Republican similar to Huntsman emerges, I can't see myself voting GOP. Third party or Democrat will depend on who the candidates are.

[eclaires]

I might vote 3rd party for president. Sometimes there are a few for various local offices and I will vote based on the candidate then.

I basically vote straight D around here regardless of the candidate, otherwise, because Rs win all local offices with little effort, and I want them to see that there are at least some constituents who exist and aren't R. It's kind of depressing.