David, I think it would be a good idea to start even more locally as you state. Begin with school boards, city governments, county governments, work your way up through state governments, then you’re ready to throw your weight around and take a few Congressional seats. That said, if there were ever a time to skip the local government step and go straight for a shot at Congress, this is the time to do it with everyone seemingly upset with both parties. I just hope, if such an attempt is made and fails, that doesn’t hurt the overall progress of any potential third party development.

Russ, that is a very interesting idea but I question the ability of any party that doesn’t stand up and state a stance on some issues to get votes, especially in today’s political climate. I know that, when I vote for someone, I want to know where they stand or at least what kind of philosophy they have. In a way, I do want a consensus builder but I also want someone who will stand for his or her ideals, not support something just because it is a consensus decision.

The third party, in my view, has a specific role – not to espouse any policy, but to facilitate consensus among the various factions. Candidates should be skilled in consensus building primarily, and the caucus would offer to facilitate any policy disputes, refuse to go into coalition with either party, and hold the possibility of bloc voting as a threat over the major parties. If it can deny either party a majority, it would automatically be able to choose among positions unless the major parties could reach agreement. And by eschewing races for the White House and Senate, it could make it very clear that it was process-oriented, not about personal vainglory.

That was the Republican strategy of the 80s, which led to having a really deep bench for their successes in the 90’s and today.

This is a more realistic short term goal for a third party. It would have to build itself up before taking the White House but it would not be impossible for one in today’s climate to at least begin claiming some seats in Congress that could at least begin to both build the party and ensure that ideologues do not have a majority to work with.

It is a shame that tools like Ralph Nader and Ross Perot forever stained the underwear of Third Party candidates. People associate third parties with millionaires and charts. It will be an uphill battle but with the right cadidates they might have a chance, but I doubt it. There are too many people supporting the two party system and the third parties do nothing but steal votes from Dems/Reps during the elections.