Where is the Next Third Party?
by A.J. Segneri

I remember towards the end of 2010 I listened to radio shows and TV shows where hosts have said where is the next third party? When are we going to see another party go against the Republicans and Democrats? I do not understand these questions, because there are many third parties in our nation. From the Green Party to the Constitution Party and from the Socialist Party to the Libertarian Party, plus everything in between. These organizations have been in existence; however the major media outlets have failed to give them explosure.

None of the media sources have brought in the rank-and-file of these organizations into their respective studios to talk about the issues. Day in and day out you see nothing but the same two major party voices preaching on what is going, and how to solve the issues at hand. Why not bring in someone on TV like Rich Whitney of the Green Party, who in 2006 received 10.7% of the general election vote in the Illinois Gubernatorial race. First time a third party has done in Illinois in over 40 years.

Cape Cod Daily, a blog site for those living in Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, mentioned the following:

“We need a third party. We already have a progressive party that is up and running, but something new is needed on the progressive side. We need a progressive party that will move forward at a pace both acceptable to conservatives and liberals.”

Hello, we do and it is called the Green Party. The Greens are liberal on the social issues, and conservative on the fiscal issues. For example, the Green Party wants to repeal No Child Left Behind, and want single-payer universal health care. On fiscal issues the Greens want to cut spending line-by-line in order to eliminate wasteful spending.

No, I am not going to just mention just the Greens. Another example is the Libertarians back in 2004. When George W. Bush was seeking re-election for the presidency there were rumors that the Libertarians could cost him his jobs. Don Devine, Vice-Chairmen of the American Conservative Union and GOP insider, said the following:

“I think [the Bush campaign] should be concerned. I don’t know how concerned…They need to work on it and I think they know they need to work on it.”

The Libertarian Party is another example that they appeal to other conservative supporters. So why are third parties not prevailing like they should be?

Not only media, but several organizations in communities do not allow third parties to participate in events; such as candidate forums, endorsement interviews, debates, and the like.

On the federal campaign level many third party candidates get left out from the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Debates. Most of the time third party candidate have their own debate, which is not televised. At the state level, many third party campaign get left out of forums, endorsement interviews, and get left out from the press.

The common response to all of this would be “A third party can never succeed in a election.” How we lose track of our American Political History.

I recall a man that was well known in his community, who also a respected lawyer. He also got elected in office at the state level. He was then approach by a third party to ask him if he would run for president. The man never thought about higher office, but after talking with his advisers and family he took up the challenge and began campaign across the country. Wherever he went, the two major parties would just criticize him and the party he was with. After much of campaigning in 1860,Abraham Lincoln became the 16th President of the United States as a Republican. Yes, the Republican Party was the third party during that time period when Whigs and the Democrats were the two major parties.

Another example is the Socialist Party from 1920-1940. The Socialist Party held a strong base in Milwaukee, WI. Frank Zeidler was the longest serving Socialist Mayor Milwaukee had. Thank to Mayor Zeidler he brought in mass transit, better sanitation for the city of Milwaukee, annexed the city of Milwaukee for tax purposes and offer services, and much more. I also know many Greens and Libertarians that are elected into office. 130 Greens and 149 Libertarians.

So for all of those out in the media who is saying where is the next third party? Do some research and Google the major third parties like the Green Party, Libertarian Party and the Constitution Party. Plus look up the other parties that are out there trying to get heard. There are third parties out there: you just need to do more searching.

A.J. Segneri is a veteran activist, political campaigner, and non-profit manager. His activism work has primarily been focused around Social and Economic Justice, LGBT rights, Education, Government Reform, the Environment and the Arts. As a campaigner he has worked at senior level positions on state and federal campaigns. Segneri is the Executive Director for the Foundation for a United Front based in Springfield, IL. Plus, Segneri is also a writing contributor for political and activism sites as well as does speaking engagements around the United States.