MattC
Member
I frequently see people suggesting that a vote for a third party, such as Libertarian, is a vote that guarantees a Democrat the presidency and attacks on the 2nd Amendment
Why?
I suspect that people believe only conservatives would vote Libertarian. The fact is that a lot of Democrats and other left-of-center voters are also fed-up with the Democratic party, but do not want to risk another far-right candidate getting into office. There is a very vocal and visible radical left in the Democratic Party, much the same as in the Republican Party. However, there are a lot more people in the middle who just want their 1st Amendment rights protected (so they vote against Republicans in fear of a Christian agenda) and want government to leave them alone (so they vote against the Democrats in fear of a Socialist agenda). Which ever they are most worried about decides which way they vote in an election. I suggest that we do not focus on how the fanatics will vote, but rather focus on how the vast majority of Americans without strong ties to either party may vote.
If we want truly pro-RKBA candidates to win, I suggest that we put efforts into convincing those non-Republicans that if they vote third party too, they may just keep the office away from either of the extremists. But even if that doesn't happen (and it likely won’t), it makes it much more likely to happen 4 or 8 years later. Wouldn't that be nice? Until the majority of people actually do start voting for the candidate that they believe in (rather than against another), there will be no change to the two dominant parties.
The best defense of RKBA is long-term thought.
And if you're having problems convincing those who vote Democrat because they refuse to vote Republican, try telling them this: "The Republicans are going to lose the Presidential election regardless of how you vote, so isn't this the best opportunity that you can have to vote your conscience?" Whether you believe it or not, whether your plan to vote third-party or not, the worst it could do is nothing, but it may keep one more vote away from Hillary/Obama.
Why?
I suspect that people believe only conservatives would vote Libertarian. The fact is that a lot of Democrats and other left-of-center voters are also fed-up with the Democratic party, but do not want to risk another far-right candidate getting into office. There is a very vocal and visible radical left in the Democratic Party, much the same as in the Republican Party. However, there are a lot more people in the middle who just want their 1st Amendment rights protected (so they vote against Republicans in fear of a Christian agenda) and want government to leave them alone (so they vote against the Democrats in fear of a Socialist agenda). Which ever they are most worried about decides which way they vote in an election. I suggest that we do not focus on how the fanatics will vote, but rather focus on how the vast majority of Americans without strong ties to either party may vote.
If we want truly pro-RKBA candidates to win, I suggest that we put efforts into convincing those non-Republicans that if they vote third party too, they may just keep the office away from either of the extremists. But even if that doesn't happen (and it likely won’t), it makes it much more likely to happen 4 or 8 years later. Wouldn't that be nice? Until the majority of people actually do start voting for the candidate that they believe in (rather than against another), there will be no change to the two dominant parties.
The best defense of RKBA is long-term thought.
And if you're having problems convincing those who vote Democrat because they refuse to vote Republican, try telling them this: "The Republicans are going to lose the Presidential election regardless of how you vote, so isn't this the best opportunity that you can have to vote your conscience?" Whether you believe it or not, whether your plan to vote third-party or not, the worst it could do is nothing, but it may keep one more vote away from Hillary/Obama.
