Third party in the offing?

The American Independent Party is a third party.  It was created in 1969 by George Wallace Democrats as a split from the Johnson Democrats.  In California, it is still a recognized party on the ballot. Due to a split in the party in 2008, its future is precarious. 

Republicans are struggling in an identity crisis which became ever more apparent with the last election and the GOP Conservative side rekindled by Sarah Palin. (Sorry for invoking her, but here it's necessary.)  It's not unusual for candidiates to chose a VP running mate who garners votes from a source not prominent by the presidential candidate.  JFK chose Johnson because he was a Southerner and needed those votes. Mc Cain chose Palin for the fundementalist vote.  A clever presidental ticket units the struggling entities and brings the party back to what on the surface appears to be a centist position. 

Finally, the name of the game is money.  It takes a lot of money to run a campaign and just saying you want another party does not mean you can get the financial support to make it work.  That is if being a real contender for the presidency is the goal.  But if just making a statement against an ideology is the goal and concrete aspirations are not, then anyone can create their own party.  We could create one here! 

Spliting the Republicans for whatever reason would be great for us Democrats!

Moneyed class=big business interests who rake in the profits for the moneyed class stock holders, indeed, will never support a fringe candidate.  I agree the divide is along racial lines, but also religious ideological lines.  And let's face it--the fundamentalists might be outspoken, but for the most part they are definitely not the moneyed class and their influence for elections might have sway on legislative elections, but not so much on presidential.  But I am an equal opportunity person.  Everyone deserves to be represented---just not elected president!    

Smk I think you hit the nail on the head here.  This is why the RNC was quick to announce that they're throwing their support behind Dough Hoffman.  They want a piece of the pie.

Thanks,  and yes,  you are right.  ;) 

I think people underestimate the so-called fringe movement.  I think as events move along they are getting tired of what either party has to offer.  From my viewpoint I also think Americans are sick and tired of the constant fights between Democrats and Republicans without any tangible results coming out of Congress.

Even with the promise of Change and Hope, Americans see politics as usual in he halls of power in Washington. 

Interestingly enough in Alberta just recently a new party evolved called the Wildrose Alliance (the Wildrose is our Provincial Flower).  This movement has evolved because of people's mistrust of the traditional parties.  This party has a real chance of becoming viable alternative during the next election.  I has already overtaken the opposition parties.

cowpoke and smk

I see your point of view of the slow momentum of a fringe movement, but I don't see the clout of a single agenda party having much power to elect presidents.  My heart wrenches to have to use the Green Party as an example because my heart is with their causes, but they exist as a counter weight to non conservationist politics in both main parties.  I am glad they exist because they have the freedom to support minority conservation positions and bring them to the forefront in elections they participate in.  Will it continue if Ralph Nader retires?  Only time will tell, but few men have the influence for change he has had over the years. 

Movements for change need a Hero.  Who will be the Hero of the third party?  I am not being facious.  Sarah Palin is a single subject hero.  She won't due.