ghostdragon Wrote:
Here's how I see it. Some 3rd parties are too radical to either side. In 2000 you had both Nader and Buchannon being prime examples.
The thing is that Gore didn't attack Nadr's critizisms and actively go after those who voted for Nader. In war, every opponent should respected even if they have n chance of winning. Let even the weakest opponent injure you just enough, it will be to the advantage of your equal opponent.
On a concience level, Nader is correct on many things, yet he has not real experience with working with politicians to obtain them. Sometimes things have to get sacrificed and not all of one's agendas are successfull. How can he work with Congress and who would he elect to his cabinet?
Since he might elect people not based in Washington, he'll alienate Congress to the point where nothing would get done. Just cause someone is outside of Washington doesn't mean that they'll do a better job. They still have to understand how things work and use that to the administrations advantage. What experience would his policy makers have? He sure as hell wouldn't have a mandate since both Dems and Reps would stall everything and force Nader to come to the middle on nearly everything.
An advocate in office is not required for he/she will be their own enemy, not Congress.
GD |
First of all, I wouldn't really say Buchanon is radical or extreme right. From what little I know about him, he seems to advocate a more isolationist philosophy, which is largely contrary to the near-imperialism of Bush and the neo-conservatives.
I agree with most of what you said. You definitely have a point that Gore should have confronted Nader's criticisms and gone after Nader voters. Also, I think you're right that Nader would always get shut down by congress if he were actually elected, because of the nature of congress. But the thing is, it seems to me that third party candidates would have a better chance of winning a few seats in the House or Senate than the presidency. If the country was in such a position that a third party candidate could win the presidency, there would likely be a number of third party members already in congress, therefore the president would probably be more able to get things done. Now, a lot of the people who vote for Nader probably wouldn't vote at all if he wasn't running, but because he is, they're likely to also vote for any third party candidates running for congress, as well as local office.
Ghostdragon - Fan Submission Director ghostdragon@mortalkombatonline.com 
