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DEL.ICIO.USIs a third-party vote a wasted vote?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” is written in Ecclesiastes 4:12. Likewise, I think that three or more political parties make sure that our democracy remains strong.
On Sunday November 5, I attended the final debate among the three candidates for Georgia governor.
I saw them up close and in a revealing way what television audiences miss. And for the first time I really saw and listened to Libertarian candidate Garrett Michael Hayes.
I believe that Hayes helped to elevate the debate and kept it from becoming a tragicomic spectacle. He offered thoughtful and well-articulated, substantial answers that were more impressive than the predictable sound bites given by his opponents.
I found myself, a ‘yellow dog Democrat,’ agreeing with Hayes on issues including small business development, stem cell research and how to respond to the methamphetamine epidemic.
I left the debate wanting to know more about him and his party.
I realized that many people, like me, shortchange their voting capital by only considering candidates from the two major parties.
I now think that it’s wise to consider the candidates and platforms of other smaller parties. They can offer new ways of thinking about old issues and make us conscious of things that currently aren’t part of the political smorgasbord - but should be.
Steve Perkins, 31, a software developer, and Libertarian activist who lives in Duluth says, “Libertarians have been an effective runoff and spoiler threat for some time now.” Perkins cites both the 1992 and 1996 Georgia senatorial elections.
An article that ran in the AJC in October backs up Perkins’ claim:
“In 1996, when Democrat Max Cleland won the U.S. Senate race, Jack Cashin, the Libertarian candidate, received 80,000 votes. Many felt those votes came at the expense of Republican candidate, Guy Millner, who lost to Cleland by 28,000 votes.”
“In 1992, Libertarian Senate candidate Jim Hudson forced a runoff between Democrat Wyche Fowler and eventual winner Republican Paul Coverdell. In the general election, Fowler received 35,000 more votes than Coverdell but failed to get the required 50 percent - perhaps because Hudson siphoned away about 70,000 votes.”
Perkins, who is also webmaster for the Gwinnett Libertarians, reports that about 360 Gwinnettians are on the Libertarian’s mailing list. The Gwinnett and Dekalb Libertarians meet monthly.
Perkins says that most of the Libertarians he knows are white and college educated. Men outnumber women about 60 percent to 40 percent. But membership is open to anyone who shares their political outlook.
You can read about them online: www.lpgeorgia.com/gwinnett/
Although third party candidates might find it difficult to win elections, I believe they help strengthen democracy.
Assertive third parties give voters more choice and enable them to leverage their political power and influence political outcomes in new ways.
I hope third parties such as the Libertarians will continue to seek to have their ideas heard and their candidates on the ballot.
I also hope that American voters will give third party candidates the audience and respect they deserve, including seriously considering voting for third party candidates. I know that I will.
Do you think voting for a third party candidate is a wasted vote? Did you vote for a third party candidate or do a write in vote this election? Why?
Permalink | Comments (10) | Categories: Beni Dakar
Comments
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By Eric
November 13, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this
A 3rd party candidate more often than not is the only candidate with real ideas and convictions(whether you agree with them or not.) Reps and Dems talk a good game to their constituents but both have everything filtered by one factor: will this get me elected? They are drunk with power and care more about winning than enacting what they talk about. Example: 1994 Contract With America, what ever happened to getting rid of the Department of Education or cutting spending? Whatever happened to real spending controls? Instead these “conservatives” pass the biggest expansion of our government in 40 years through the prescription drug benefit and more pork projects than ever(beefing up military spending for a war we don’t need to be in doesn’t help either.) They also routinely count on pro-life votes then do absolutely nothing to address an issue that is the equivalent of 9/11 every day because their convictions are not stronger than their desire for power(or they are lying about being pro-life to begin with.) I can’t vote Libertarian because of some of their social principles, but at least they are straightforward and honest about them, which is something you won’t get from most Republicans or Democrats.
By George Whitfield
November 13, 2006 09:37 PM | Link to this
I was impressed by Garrett Michael Hayes, too, and decided to support him. I think the Libertarian Party is worth more consideration by voters and trust they will continue to offer candidates and win more elections.
By Hunter
November 14, 2006 07:32 AM | Link to this
As a former Ga LP member, who moved to NC, I am very impressed with the numbers the Ga LP reached in the recent election. Georgia should be VERY PROUD for being one of the strongest LP states, and has for several years. You should preserve this freedom in election.
In NC, the powermongering controlling oppressive DEMOcrackkks and republicans saw fit to violate voting CIVIL RIGHTS by banishing the LP, and ALL other parties from keeping ballot access for formidible candidates. This of course was after Gov. Sleazely denied the 2004 LP candidate for governor to appear on the public debates. Gov. Mike Easely has ZERO integrity and is an embarrassment to the state of NC! 106 years of democrackkk oppression in NC is what is wrong with NC, the highest taxed state in the southeast!
Strive to keep 3rd parties on the Ga ballot!
and, STRIVE to be SMARTER than a DEMOCRACKKK !!!
By AR
November 14, 2006 09:00 AM | Link to this
Wish you had written this before the election! We were impressed with him after the first debate and checked out the Libertarian website. We liked what the candidate for the Education Superintendent stood for, also. We ended up voting Libertarian wherever possible. It’s very hard for anyone to break into the two parties’ lock on media coverage, but it might have made a difference if the AJC had covered Hayes some more; he was at least on the ballot, so it wouldn’t be a case of trying to cover every little party that created itself.
By Rich Giles
November 14, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this
I too watched Hayes in the (debate?). I was very impressed at his being above the fray between parties and more about what is right for the people.
I thought about the concept of “throwing away your vote” and realized that a person should vote for the candidate they want and the principle he represents rather that voting for who might win. A vote for Hayes is a voice crying “this is what I want, everyone pay attention”. It is not a wasted vote.
By Steve Perkins
November 14, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this
It should be pointed out that Libertarian Party’s tone and message, especially here in Georgia, might not be quite what many people think. I talk to allot of Georgians like Eric, who tell me they’re really drawn to Libertarian candidates for economic and fiscal policy reasons… yet can’t vote Libertarian, because they met a someone 10 or 20 years ago who really turned them off because of attitude or positions on social issues.
One of the things I like about the Libertarian Party is that members DON’T necessarily agree on all issues. It’s easy to forget history in today’s hyper-polarized political culture, but it wasn’t too long ago when you could support a political party without completely checking your brain at the door. You had right-leaning “Reagan Democrats” and left-leaning “Rockefeller Republicans”, and those in the parties worked together on common ground despite not seeing eye-to-eye on everything. The LP still displays this spirit. Notice for example that Garrett Hayes ran for Governor on a platform that included the FairTax, while his Lt. Gov. running mate Allen Buckley wrote a book about problems with the FairTax proposal! Casting your ballot for a candidate doesn’t mean you have to mindlessly sign-off on each and every position you think that party stands for… you’re a better voter when you DO think things through on your own.
I have found the Libertarian Party of Georgia to be a common-sense voice on real bread-n-butter issues. At the most recent national convention, the platform was substantially cleaned up and slimmed down. Do a web search on Garrett Hayes’ interviews and debate footage, and you’ll find that Georgia nominates credible candidates who articulate reasonable positions on the issues that really matter to voters. Speaking for myself… I don’t give a flip about marijuana, playing around with the definition of marriage, and other such “social” (i.e. “wedge”) issues. I’m mostly concerned with the debt that’s being passed to my children… I’ve realized that neither major party is really any better than the other on government debt, and that the best way I can use my vote is to support a fiscal-conservative party so the Big Two are encouraged to protect that flank. It’s the best way that I personally can avoid the feeling that my vote is going to waste.
By Evelyn Brown
November 14, 2006 07:50 PM | Link to this
Perkins is right on target in his thinking. Why isn’t he a candidate when we need level thinking people like him. Third parties, such as the Liberterians can eventually force the other two parties to “shape up”. They need to be accountable for some of their actions. I like Mr. Perkins comments and hope to see more of them in the future.
By Guy Pinestra
November 15, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this
Voting 3rd party is NEVER a wasted vote because the bigger their percentage, the more the ‘Big 2’ pay attention.
Although I prefer the Constitution Party platform (I have a problem with the Libertarian position on immigration), I voted an almost straight Libertarian ticket this year.
I’m fed up with the ‘Business as usual’ mindset of BOTH major parties.
By Brian Freeman
November 17, 2006 08:46 AM | Link to this
I’m glad to see that even an admitted ‘yellow dog democrat’ has seen the light. I’ve voted libertarian in most cases since 1992 and I’ve never wasted my vote. If I vote for the candidate that best represents my views, it’s not wasted. A wasted vote is choosing between the lesser of two evils. A vote for libertarianism (or other third party, for that matter) tells the Republicans and Democrats that we’re sick of big government, we’re tired of the bickering between the two major parties, and that America deserves more choice than just ultra-conservative or bed-wetting liberal. We’re one nation – we shouldn’t be as polarized as the Republicans and Democrats want us to be. The number of converted libertarians is growing each year which scares the hell out of the two big parties. Most people have libertarian views but they don’t realize that there’s a party that represents these ideals. Only about half of eligible voters even bother to cast a ballot because they’ve given up - they don’t see a real difference in their lives voting Republican or Democrat. More choice will certainly give disillusioned voters a reason to come to the polls.
By Paul
November 18, 2006 04:24 AM | Link to this
I’m a LP national party member, and I’ve never been so disgusted. The R’s are apparently so desperate to hold on to power that they’ll do anything. And we’ve seen it.
Garrett’s use of “there THEY go again” was the most-fitting thing to say, for the two others came out slinging mud at each other and really didn’t do much else.
Unlike some, I DID NOT turn tail at the last minute, and vote for the Republikan candidate. I care not about this candidate’s “experience”, nor do I care about his telling-off FEMA and/or the “president” over Katrina and/or immigration. I DO care about the issue of his land deals and the $100K in taxes GA did not otherwise get. That money could have gone towards our schools they SAY they want to improve.
They spent more time belly-aching about where a sex offender can live, and botching their 1059 bill, than they spent worrying about education OR illegal immigration, IMO.
If that wasn’t enough, I also think that the whole issue of banning gay marriage is just another way of pushing extreme right agendas, and not dealing with REAL issues SUCH AS illegal immigration or education, or even Katrina.
As a Libertarian, I DON’T CARE if gays get married. How will I be injured by a couple of gay people getting married ? I won’t, plain, pure, and simple.
Sure, there’s corruption everywhere, but it seems to me that the R’s have had an overwhelming amount of it lately, and it stinks.
IT IS ABOUT PARTY POLITICS !!!
A vote for the Libertarian Party IS NOT A WASTED VOTE. Give the #3 party in the USofA a chance, already ! The PROBLEM is that we live in a country with a populace copping a defeatist attitude. This simply will not do. You’ll regret losing that freedom when you’re cooped-up in a concentration camp with a barcode on your head.
Randi Rhodes was absolutely dead-on when she talked about how we came THIS CLOSE to fascism. TOO CLOSE.
In case anyone missed it, Sinclair Lewis taught us quite well, and we’d do well to remember his words: “When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, and carrying a cross”.
Go to Wikipedia and look up fascism…just do it.
In case one is still too stupid to see the wisdom, consider that there has been an insane increase in religiosity AND hyper-patriotism in the last six years. I APPRECIATE the flag, but I don’t have to constantly wave it in everyones’ faces, nor do I have to routinely and mindlessly recite a pledge to it all the time, effectively making it into an idol or god.
Don’t be an idiot, or an American Idiot. Don’t be a part of a redneck agenda either !
It’s all about control ! Peace, out.