What's the best a 3rd party candidate has done?

[jersdream]

I think it was Teddy Roosevelt of the Bull-Moose Party/Progressive Party.

 

[MayTheRonBeWithYou]

after that ever legislature in america created enormous barriers to independent and 3rd party runs.

Ballot access is a nightmare and would require someone very famous right now, a number of voters that are not tied to only vote republican or democrat like in texas or a for a 3rd party to give ballot access and nominate the candidate.

This is a total and complete lie. Everything you just said is 100% false. Perot KNOCKED DOWN all the barriers to third party and independent runs. He cleared the path for Ron.

 

[Goldwater Conservative]

Do you have any idea what that represents in today's dollars? Nearly $100M! And that is based on the government's CPI calculator!

There was no Internet as we know it in 1992. We've proven how effective a tool it is in raising money at no expense to or even effort by the official campaign and allowing the grassroots to make their own ads, projects, etc. This is a great climate for an independent run, it's just a matter of finally getting the right candidate.

 

[colecrowe]

my dad said he'd donate another 500 to Paul (IF he announces 3rd party) (he donated 200 on Dec. 16th--but that was when it seemed like he REALLY could maybe, possibly win the Nom. I would donate 500 the day he declares (even though it will hurt financially), whereas I can't afford to give anymore (I gave just over a 1,100 in Q4 to the cause--so shut up) for his Republican run; and gramps would probably wager another 1776.00

The 2nd and 3rd tier, broader-base of supporters aren't (many or most of them) going to donate MORE--if they already have once--because TO THEM it is obvious or at least nearly certain that he's not going to get the Nom from the Republican party (I'm not saying I believe that--but they DO). However, they would be very willing and enthusiastic about supporting him in an iNDEPENDENT run.

IF he doesn't do well enough in the next month or two, and then makes the calculated decision to run iNDY, and then declares say in March, and starts campaigning and runs a couple infomercials to pique some interest (emphasised because it's the most essential part), we could pick one perfect day, and make sure to have two months to plan it--and do everything in our power to make it better and bigger than the Tea Party. Independence Day would make so much sense--the country could declare it's independence from the parties, the special interests and lobbyists, the IRS, the Bankers, the Bush war and the Bush and McCain shamnesty, and the tax and spend Democrats--and we'd have 3 or however many months to prepare for it and drum up support. We could set a goal of 25 million in one day, and hope to shatter it. And then Ron Paul would have July, August, September, and October to spend it and raise more all along--while all along, for those 4 plus months, we could fill every precinct captain position and canvass and call every house--while Iraq continues exploding and the economy collapses.

 

[MayTheRonBeWithYou]

Great post, colecrowe. You've got some great ideas, my friend.

 

[anaconda]

There is a perfect storm brewing for a successful third party run. Give us McCain and Hillary and this unprecedented nine months of general election campaigning with Ron Paul on the Libertarian ticket with an excellent VP choice. The RP movement just continues to grow and Republicans and Democrats are already grumbling about their poor choices in candidates.