I know a few people who are still obsessed with Jill Stein. It is obvious that she will only get a few percentage points. I am specifically asking about Presidential candidates. I understand why someone would run third party in a down ticket race. My state has been good to third party candidates in down-ballot races, and we even have an independent Senator.
What, if anything are McMullin, Stein, Johnson, etc looking to achieve this year? Is it just to get attention?
Yes, they get attention and tv coverage without having to do the work of running a real campaign. They should be rightfully mocked as pathetic jokes.
Well, for one thing if they can get 5% of the vote they get access to additional Federal funding for their party in the subsequent election. My understanding is that this would be something like an additional $10 million of funding. That’s a very material amount for a third party.
You’re too optimistic. It’s doubtful Stein will even get one percent of the vote.
It’s an ego trip. They get their names on the ballots, get a smattering of votes and then can say they finished with a bronze medal.
I think most of the Third Party candidates are realistic and realize they’re not going to win the election. They’re using the campaign process in order to gain public attention for their political platform. They’re not hoping to get a Green Party candidate elected. But they’re hoping to show there’s enough public support for the Green Party platform to get some of its ideas taken up by the Democrats or Republicans.
Third party candidates aren’t really running for President. They just want to publicize their pet causes. If they really wanted to be President they’d do what Sanders or Trump did–join the party closest to them ideologically and try to win the primary.
Ralph Nader wanted the US to invade Iraq.
He didn’t actually say that, but he he claimed, ever after, that there was no difference between the parties.
The 5% because off course the D&R monopoly make sure that they’re the only ones to get matching funds. Interestingly there is a much higher standard to get into the debates.
I think part of it is also that a national campaign is high-value for getting the party some recognition at the local level. Here in Colorado, the US Senate debates invited the Libertarian candidate due in some part to the publicity Gary Johnson is getting.