With some ups and downs, the overall trend during the past eight years shows that a majority of Americans favor the addition of a third political party. In 2003 only 40% favored the addition of a third party. The most recent Gallup Poll shows that number currently stands at 52%. Since 2006, the number has been in the 50% range, sometimes slightly lower and sometimes as high as 58%.
Of course, the devil is in the details. The desire for a third party is not nearly as difficult as the type of third party. 51% of conservatives, 52% of moderates and 52% of liberals indicated a preference for a third party. Instead of a third party, those numbers would seem to indicate a desire for a third, fourth and fifth party.
What is becoming clear is the growing dissatisfaction with the two existing major parties. Only 40% of those polled believe the current Republican and Democratic parties do an adequate job of representing the people. Parse that. We’re not talking 40% who think they do a good or superior job. That’s just 40% who give them even an adequate rating.
This is the first time since Gallup began tracking the issue that a majority of Republicans favored a third party. Tea partiers favor a third party by 60%.
Does any of this mean a third party is in our immediate future? Probably not. In addition to the ideological difficulty of identifying a third party philosophy, there are the electoral hurdles to overcome. The two parties now in power have pretty well stacked the procedural deck and locked up the resources necessary for successful campaigns and elections. Still, the continuing year over year support for a viable option to Democrats and Republicans may prove significant at some point down the road.
Contributor, aka tidbits. Retired attorney in complex litigation, death penalty defense and constitutional law. Former Nat’l Board Chair: Alzheimer’s Association. Served on multiple political campaigns, including two for U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR). Contributing author to three legal books and multiple legal publications.