Third party candidates lie in wait in the U.S. presidential election

Although politics in the United States traditionally divides into supposed liberal verusus conservative oposites, reality—as usual—is a bit more complex. Actually, aside from Democrat Barak Obama and Republican John McCain, there are six other presidencial candidates in the race for the presidency.

 

Most of these candidates are actually conservative o liberal splinter groups and they are treated with complete disdain by the mass media, in view of the notion that only a two party system can operate effectively in accordance with the country’s history and tradition.

Although this year's elections appear to offer more clear choices--a progressive minded Democratic candidate representing a minority group versus a somewhat non-conformist conservative of  traditional background--once in power the differences between Democrats and Republicans tend to be fogged over.

 

The outsider parties are generally referred to as third party candidates. Sometimes they have played a significant role in shifting the focus on issues the two major parties have ignored.

 

Here are the off-beat parties and their candidates.

Constitution Party: (rightwing sonservative) For this party the 2008 Third Party Candidates contesting for the elections are Chuck Baldwin, Jim Gilchrist Don Grundman, Alan Keyes, Bryan Malatesta and Diane Beall Templin

Green Party: (progressive) Jared Ball, Elaine Brown, Jesse Johnson, Paul Kangas, Jerry Kann, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay, Ralph Nader, Gail Parker, Rebecca Rotzler, Average Joe Schriner and Kat Swift are the Green Party US Presidential Candidates.

Libertarian Party (rightwing) The Libertarian party US Presidential Elections 2008 candidates are Jim Burns, Dave Hollist, Dan Imperato, Bob Jackson, Mike "Jingo" Jingozian, Steve Kubby, Alden Link, Robert Milnes, George Phillies, Wayne Allyn Root, Christine Smith, Ed Thompson.

Prohibition Party: (rightwing) Gene Amondson and Earl Dodge are the Third Party candidate from the Prohibition Party contesting for the US Presidential Elections 2008.

Socialist Party: (socialist) Stewart Alexander, Bruce Burleson, Eric Chester, David Frey, Evan Gelobter, Norma J. F. Harrison, Stanley Hetz, Linda McKinney, Brian Moore, Dusten Retcher, Constantino "Tino" Rozzo, Dwight Welch are the US Presidential Elections 2008 Socialist Party candidates.

Although none of these candidates have the slightest possibility of winning, they may be decisive in tilting the scales towards Obama or McCain—who are actively courting them. An important number of voters are also described as “independent,” although that term sheds little light concerning their voting preferences.