Thread: Paul: Reject the major parties, go for a third

By SUZANNE GAMBOA AND SAM HANANEL
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITERS

WASHINGTON -- Libertarian-leaning congressman Ron Paul is urging voters to reject John McCain and Barack Obama and support one of the third-party candidates for president.

Paul, a Republican who abandoned his White House bid earlier this year, is gathering some of the candidates, independent Ralph Nader among them, on Wednesday to make his plea.

"The strongest message can be sent by rejecting the two party system," Paul said in prepared remarks obtained by AP. "This can be accomplished by voting for one of the non-establishment, principled candidates."
He recommended Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party, former Georgia Republican Rep. Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party and former Georgia Democratic Rep. Cynthia McKinney of the Green Party. He invited them to his news conference Wednesday.

Paul won no primaries in the Republican nomination contest but developed a strong following on the Internet and set a single-day record for raising money online. Thousands attended his protest last week near the GOP convention in St. Paul, Minn.
Some Republicans have been concerned Paul could siphon votes from the party in the same way Democrats accused Nader of doing in 2000 when he ran under the Green Party banner.

But when Nader ran in 2004 as an independent, he garnered just 0.3 percent of the vote from 34 states. The Constitution, Green and Libertarian candidates received even fewer votes. Nader claims he has enough signatures to get on the ballot in 45 states this year.

Nader predicted the gathering of third-party candidates would "raise the eyebrows" of political pundits who skeptical of the viability of independent presidential campaigns. The candidates will agree on several common issues they believe are being ignored by the major parties.

"This is the beginning of the realignment of American politics," Nader said.
Paul espouses limited government and individual responsibility. He is a critic of election laws that he says are designed to prevent third-party candidates from getting on ballots and participating in debates.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/ ... dates.html

Bravo Ron Paul! Yes this whole system needs realignment, but what is in more need of adjustment is allowing lobbyists to sway our elected representatives.

Baldwin for me and my dh is our local GOP committeeman. Oops, sorry dear, but I've had enough.

Why can't these few Third Party get together and draw straws? And give the others jobs; there is enough to do for all the Third Party candidates.

There are some good lobbyists but what we really need to get rid of is earmarks and set term limits for ALL elected officials.

[quote]He recommended Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party, former Georgia Republican Rep. Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party and former Georgia Democratic Rep. Cynthia McKinney of the Green Party. He invited them to his news conference Wednesday.
[/quote

Cynthia McKinney? Has he lost his mind.

He recommended Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party, former Georgia Republican Rep. Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party and former Georgia Democratic Rep. Cynthia McKinney of the Green Party. He invited them to his news conference Wednesday.

Cynthia McKinney? Has he lost his mind.

Originally Posted by Gogo

He recommended Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party, former Georgia Republican Rep. Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party and former Georgia Democratic Rep. Cynthia McKinney of the Green Party. He invited them to his news conference Wednesday.

Cynthia McKinney? Has he lost his mind.

I think he is just saying ANYBODY but dems or repubs, and he isn't making any association or personal opinion. Makes sense. He is basically saying vote for anybody BUT the controlled two party system, whatever you inclination may be. If you try to then further the divisiness by saying "only these independents", you destroy the credibility you have and the message you are trying to give.. VOTE FOR SOMEONE OTHER THAN McCAIN OR OBAMA..

Originally Posted by vmonkey56

Why can't these few Third Party get together and draw straws? And give the others jobs; there is enough to do for all the Third Party candidates.

I would think from that from a strategy point of view Paul should get behind Chuck Baldwin right away and mobilize a vote drive for Baldwin. With Paul's potential votes added to Baldwin's there would be enough to get a strong percentage going.

I will certainly follow Paul's advice!

Interestingly, I heard that Chuck Baldwin has already agreed to appoint Ron Paul as secretary of the U.S. Treasury if he were to be elected.