A new poll from Rasmussen finds 35% of respondents think “a new political party is needed to represent the American people”:
Thirty-five percent (35%) of U.S. voters now think Republicans and Democrats are so much alike that an entirely new political party is needed to represent the American people.
Nearly half (47%) of voters disagree and say a new party is not needed, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Another 19% are not sure.
Interestingly, the identical number of Republicans and Democrats – 32% – say a new party is needed. Fifty-four percent (54%) of Democratic voters and 49% of GOP voters disagree.
But voters not affiliated with either party have more mixed feelings. Forty percent (40%) think a new party is needed; 36% don’t.
17 responses so far ↓
1 Darryl W. Perry // Feb 11, 2010 at 3:43 am
What percentage is aware of the existence of multiple “third parties”?!?
2 Amanda // Feb 11, 2010 at 4:06 am
Hahaha that’s what I was thinking Darryl!
3 Don Lake .......... and taking attitude // Feb 11, 2010 at 5:19 am
to action! [Yet again] ya need repulsion from evil, attraction to good, and time to process the same!
4 Dominik // Feb 11, 2010 at 10:08 am
If only they would vote for one…
5 Vaughn // Feb 11, 2010 at 10:37 am
According to my county’s newspaper, 70% want a third party.
6 NewFederalist // Feb 11, 2010 at 11:57 am
I would settle for a SECOND party.
7 jason // Feb 11, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Just a third party? I’m all for having 10 or more in Congress alone.
8 Erik Geib // Feb 11, 2010 at 2:56 pm
“Nearly half (47%) of voters disagree and say a new party is not needed”
That’s the real story here. Sadly.
9 Gene Trosper // Feb 11, 2010 at 3:20 pm
@4 Clearly, they find current third parties to be severely lacking in one way or another.
10 Green Party fan // Feb 11, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Thanks for the story.
It isn’t new. Americans have long wanted a strong, real third party.
Most Americans, sadly – so far — have not gotten off the couch, and on the ballot as a Green or Independent to build that third party.
Meanwhile the Oil Party pay to play major media keeps giving the fake party (tea party) lots of lavish attention, bought and paid for with Dick Armey and republican dollars.
To Gene Trosper…
Americans at large don’t find current third parties lacking. Thanks to the major pay to play black out media, and even more important individual apathy, most Americans don’t even know The Green Party, the Independent Green Parties, or the Libertarian Parties exist.
I just spent another 12 hour day out in the freezing winter collecting petitions.
And lord willing will do the same tomorrow, looking for those signatures to get Independent Greens on the ballot, and find 2011 candidates…
That’s the only real way to build America’s third party in the real world of American politics as it exists.
11 Mik Robertson // Feb 11, 2010 at 8:01 pm
@9 “@4 Clearly, they find current third parties to be severely lacking in one way or another.”
I think that may be true for some. I also think some are not really aware of the presence of others because the two parties are so dominant. Some others buy into the blanket lies spread by political hacks that other voices are too radical or are not serious enough to be considered.
Until we can get people thinking about what is right and wrong, what is good and bad for our municipalities, states and nation, rather than which of the two big parties is wrong or right, good or bad, we will not make much progress. Interrupting that “two-party system” thought is tough, but it must be done or our political process will continue to close down to citizens and become even more beholden to special interests.
12 Steven R Linnabary // Feb 11, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Americans at large don’t find current third parties lacking. Thanks to the major pay to play black out media, and even more important individual apathy, most Americans don’t even know The Green Party, the Independent Green Parties, or the Libertarian Parties exist.
I’m not so sure that there truly is a “blackout” by the media as many profess every election cycle.
The fact remains that most of the news releases from opposition parties and/or their candidates are seriously lacking. Wayne Root’s many news releases are similar to the Socialist or Green news releases in that they are way too long, and filled with hyperbole.
News writers are busy people and don’t have time to read a long diatribe. They are as lazy as the rest of us and will print something that is eye catching and current. Especially if it fits the available space.
Many times I have seen rallies go unattended by media, but usually because media was not informed of the activity. If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is there, does it make a sound? Was the media informed with a (or better yet, multiple) short, easy to read news release prior to the rally?
There have been exceptions, such as during the tenure of Steve Dasbach as LP Chair in the 90′s. His administration was able to crank out several news releases every week. Few were published, but he DID get published more frequently than any other administration.
In my experience, only about one in ten news release gets legs. And usually it is one that I wasn’t as proud of, or had the least hope for.
It might not seem news worthy, but republicans and democrats are adept at sending news releases at least daily, sometimes several in one day.
If YOU were a news reporter or editor, would you be more inclined to print a release from “where there is action”, or from a long drawn out diatribe?
PEACE
13 Adrian // Feb 11, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Perhaps it could be that they are aware, but loony socialists and foaming-at-the-mouth libertarians are not what they had in mind?
14 Austin Battenberg // Feb 12, 2010 at 12:45 am
I could be wrong, but aren’t these polls taken from people who have voted? Considering the HUGE amount of non-voters…I’m sure the percentage is actually much higher. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have such a large population that doesn’t vote.
15 Third Party Revolution // Feb 14, 2010 at 12:21 am
Well if they want a third party so much, why don’t they just vote for one?
16 Roy Ellis // Feb 21, 2010 at 5:24 pm
I cast my vote for Nader each election as he represents the only 3rd party I know stressing abolishment of Corporate Personhood. IMO, we will continue to have a failed government until we can abolish CP and Money Is Free Speech law.
Your invited to check out, comment on, a new 3rd party inititave, the Republic Sentry Party. The RSP presents a strong populist reform platform; abolish CP and MIFS, campaign finance reform, flat tax and others. Reform oriented, no social or hot button issues. Also, put accountability into the political equation by members oversight of their elected and appointed pols. Rules that prevent the Party from being co-opted by special interest, money influence, etc. A Party for the 21st century. Trust, but verify and possibly reject.
17 aminorbender // Mar 19, 2010 at 9:23 am
couldn’t ever be a third political party….too much of the current two tied in with government. I have a better idea…I think the citizens should get together and bring a vote where congressmen are not allowed to stay in office forever. This country needs reform and that means younger thinking political views. These old guys need to move out and then maybe our country would have a better chance.
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