Half of Democrats & half of Republicans say 3rd party is needed

[Capt. Obvious]

Amid the government shutdown, 60% of Americans say the Democratic and Republicans parties do such a poor job of representing the American people that a third major party is needed. That is the highest Gallup has measured in the 10-year history of this question. A new low of 26% believe the two major parties adequately represent Americans.

....

Republicans, Democrats Equally Likely to See Need for Third Party

Republicans (52%) and Democrats (49%) are similar in their perceptions that a third party is needed. In fact, this marks the first time that a majority of either party's supporters have said a third party is needed.



Gallup

If you follow the graphs at the link, support for 3rd party drops every Presidential election cycle.

[MannyGoldstein]

1. But do they all want the *same* third party?

Half of Americans dislike HeritageRomneyObamaCare, but what the media somehow forgets to report is that almost half of those don't like it because it's too far right - they want Medicare for All or similar.

[Capt. Obvious]

5. Of course not - should be 4th party is my guess

Unless this is a trick question and they want a 3rd party comprised of corporate bought members of both parties.

[MannyGoldstein]

11. The "No Labels" Third Wayers will claim that America wants *them*

"Hey! We're in the middle! No extremes! No squabbling! Just good government!"

Then, if they get any power, it'll just be more be free trade agreements, bank deregulation, and Spy On Everyone.

We need a party for the 99%, I think, but I fear that most Americans can be duped.

[Liberalynn]

12. Agreed it would make more sense if they had said four parties

the Tea Pukers, the moderate right(what few of them are left if any), the moderate dems, and the left of center dems.

[KG]

2. both parties collude to keep third parties out of the election picture.

the country is worse off for it.

[el_bryanto]

3. The problem isn't so much the need for a third party - it's one that would pick up

enough votes to matter. There are plenty of Conservatoids who would like to see a "constitution party" or a party based on their Christian values successful. And there are plenty on our side who would like to see the Green Party successful. But because of our winner-take-all set up, such parties aren't likely to be successful.

Bryant

[Gman]

4. I guarantee you one thing

what those Democrats and what Republicans think the 3rd party should look like are polar opposites.

[tularetom]

6. Yes, and that party would be the real Democratic party

Right now we have two parties, the lunatic fringe wacko party, and the mushy centroid middle of the road party.

We have very few true Democrats in office right now, the best example would be a Senator who does not even call himself a Democrat.

[Scootaloo]

7. Then they want a different electoral system

The one we have really can't support more than two parties - You want more than two viable parties in government, well, you're going to have to scrap the winner-take-all system we have in our elections. The rise of a third party always heralds that party becoming one of the "two parties" in the near future, replacing one of the other two.

[B Calm]

8. We already do, it's called the Tea Party!

[madokie]

9. A third party is essentially what we have now

We have the Democratic, the republicons and the teaparty faction of the republicons. Nothing gets done because no one in the house has a majority.
How can this be good?

[DetlefK]

10. A 3rd party ins't viable in this rigged election-system.

- Gerrymandering for racist reasons is a big no-no. For political reasons it's a-ok.

- Winner takes all.

- Election-campaigns are financed by donations, That's why big parties can outspend small parties.

Without an election-reform, nothing's gonna change.

[socialist_n_TN]

13. As others have said......

These folks want a third party, but they don't want the SAME third party. And as I've said numerous times (not advocating mind you, just observing), if EITHER party splits we'll wind up with four and not three.

The only thing that's keeping a large (maybe majority) contingent of people in the Conservadem party is the fear of a Republican takeover. If the Republicans split, the Democrats will do so shortly after.

[HughBeaumont]

14. Unfortunately, that "third party" would be 1%er friendly Libertarians.

In other words, the socially right-leaning side of the Democratic party combined with all the re-branded Feudalism, Austrian School pseudoscience and "States Rights" bullshit of the Republican party. Who the hot fuck wants that?

Unless some major backing happened from the American liberal wealthy, a true progressive party would have a snowflake's chance in the abyss in 2013 Politics.