Nick Ragone.com - Home - Nader's Place in Third Party History

Monday

Feb252008

Nader's Place in Third Party History

Monday, February 25, 2008 at 11:13PM

With Ralph Nader’s (predictable) announcement that he again would be seeking the presidency, it brings into focus the role of third party candidates throughout history.

Since 1856, when the Republicans and Democrats became the two national parties, 071011_nobel_roosevelt_vmed12p.widec.jpg only one third party candidate – Teddy Roosevelt in 1912 – has finished second. Of course, TR was a unique situation in that he was a former President – and a popular one at that – who had lost out his party’s nomination to a sitting president (William Howard Taft). TR wasn’t the only former president to step back in the ring under a different banner: Millard Fillmore ran as a "Know-Nothing” after the Democrats refused to renominate him for a second term. Ol’ Millard finished a distant third and was never heard form again.

Regional candidates have played a big role in our electoral history. Strom Thurmond carried four states and thirty-nine delegates as the Dixiecrats standard-bearer in 1948, running on the platform of “segregation forever.” He nearly turned the election to Republican Thomas Dewey of New York, who most pundits considered the favorite. Two decades later, Alabama Governor George Wallace did Thurmond one better, taking five states and forty-six delegates on the same segregationist platform. What should have been a comfortable Nixon victory turned into a squeaker, and in some ways laid the groundwork for Nixon’s “southern strategy” four years later.

The Democrats suffered one of their worst showings ever in 1924 when Robert La Follette bolted the party to form the Progressive Party, and in the process took 17 percent of the popular vote with him. La Follette only carried one state – his native Wisconsin – but it nonetheless contributed to a Coolidge landslide.

In recent times, Ross Perot has put together the strongest consecutive third party campaigns in history. His 19 percent in 1992 remains the third highest total in history, and is the highest if you exclude the former presidents, (Teddy Roosevelt and Millard Fillmore). Perot’s 9 percent in 1996 was a respectable showing, though it had little impact on the outcome. John Anderson was a peculiar case: the liberal Republican bolted the party after losing the nomination to Ronald Reagan in 1980, but wound up siphoning votes from Carter in the general election and certainly contributed to Reagan’s landslide.

Nick Ragone |

10 Comments |

Essays

View Printer Friendly Version

Email Article to Friend

Reader Comments (10)

Also begs the question: does longevity mean ANYTHING for third-party candidates? Doubtful - if Earl Dodge (Prohibition) or Norman Thomas (Socialist) are any indication, at six consecutive campaigns a piece.

February 26, 2008 |

Jen Reinhard

I register gucci outlet some hot lv bags forums and post what I want to purchase.
such as 绕线机 discount ones, with the 解决绕线机的数控系统出现故障 requirements, such as, the acceptable 绕线机的正常工作 prices, the favorable 内墙腻子粉、外墙腻子粉 colors, and the designs I want.

September 26, 2011 |

xiaofengxiaofeng

October 6, 2011 |

xiaoai

Tim Thomas Jersey
Zdeno Chara Jersey
Milan Lucic Jersey
Nathan Horton Jersey
Brad Marchand Jersey
bruins jerseys
Blake Wheeler Jersey
Blank Jersey
Bobby Orr Jersey
Cam Neely Jersey
David Krejci Jersey
Dennis Wideman Jersey
Marc Savard Jersey
Marco Sturm Jersey
Patrice Bergeron Jersey
Phil Esposito Jersey
Phil Kessel Jersey
Ray Bourque Jersey
Terry O'Reilly Jersey
Tyler Seguin Jersey

October 11, 2011 |

Tim Thomas Jersey

Gucci has been to the production of high-grade luxury products famous. Whether shoes,gucci outlet bags or clothing, cheap gucci sneakers with "of the identity and fortune indicative" brand image makes rich brownstone consumption favorite. Fashionable fashionable! Since the early 90 s, from when the group is the brand is very few,gucci replica shoes outlet online store but Gucci absolutely is one of the most sought-after. Gucci and many brand as a brand, through after off,gucci handbags it gradually return to international mainstream, in fact the historical development of the early, Gucci, founder Gucci as early as 1898 in London about access to rich, celebrities,cheap gucci shoes and for their noble taste infatuate deeply. Gucci 40 s from the 60 s, its product unique design and fine materials, become elegant and luxurious symbol for Sophie barthes, the-and the duchess of Windsor fair maiden celebrities such as highly. See!!!!!

October 13, 2011 |

cheap gucci shoes

lingerie
sexy sexy lingerie
sexy lingerie
sexy underwear
lingerie sexy

Shox pas cher
Basket Nike Pas Cher
Air Max pas cher

Nike Air Max 90 Pas cher
Nike pas cher
Air Max 90 pas cher
Chaussures Nike pas cher

iphone 4 case
iphone case
iphone 4 cases
iphone cases

cheap wedding dresses
cheap wedding dress
cheap party dresses

November 2, 2011 |

Atwood Pumps

Thank you for your sharing!
nike shoes
Louis Vuitton Handbags

November 9, 2011 |

Louis Vuitton Handbags

<h1>replica designer bags</h1> Affordable bags
<h1>replica designer handbags</h1> Come ah
<h1>air max 2012</h1> Favorites
<h1>nike shox turbo</h1> Discounts and more
<h1>men puma shoes</h1> Online Sales
<h1>air max 90</h1> Wholesale sales
<h1>wholesale puma shoes</h1> Wholesale sales
<h1>puma shoes sale</h1> Look comfortable
<h1>timberland mens boots</h1> Buy comfortable
<h1>gucci women shoes</h1> You are wrong?
<h1>louis vuitton outlet</h1> There must you like

November 21, 2011 |

new era hats
new era hats

November 24, 2011 |

new era hats

Rolex Submariner Replica Watches
Rolex Milgauss Replica Watches
Rolex GMT Master II Replica Watches
Breitling Navitimer Replica
Breitling Avenger Replica
Breitling Chronomat B01 Replica
Omega Deville Replica
Omega Seamaster Replica
Omega Constellation Replica
Omega Speedmaster Replica
Tag Heuer Carrera Replica

November 28, 2011 |

Rolex Submariner Replica Watches

Post a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »

Author:

Author Email (optional):

Author URL (optional):

Post:

↓ | ↑

Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>