Darcy Richardson has been writing the most comprehensive story of U.S. political parties (with emphasis on the parties that were not the two major parties) ever written. His Volume III has just been published. The full title is Others: Third Parties from Teddy Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party to the Decline of Socialism in America. It covers 1911-1919. It is 407 pages, hardcover. The period covered by Volume III is fairly short, but more happened in this decade, than at any other time in the 20th century, relative to third parties. So the decision to devote an entire volume to just 9 years is understandable.
It is still amazing that Teddy Roosevelt and his 1912 California ticket mate, Governor and Direct Democracy guru Hiram W. Johnson have not been grabbed by a second tier [reformers, greens, or U. S. Constitution Party] or third tier [VETerans Party, Moderate Party, (National) Progressive Party or Independence Parties] as a personality icon.
Instead of Bull Moose [Progressives of Vermont] or fund raising Theodore Bear plush toy or three bladed wind fan electric generator [as the 21st Century Peace Symbol] the non Democrats or non Republicans [with the solitary example of the Libs and Tom Jefferson] are not smart enough to project a personality ‘spokes model’!
Look at the Greens, the Sunflower as Party Symbol? That only works in Kansas!
The Reformers, Constitution, VET and pretty much every one else has the Eagle and Eagle Head! Pretty much ‘standing out by blending in….’! Leave that to the United States Postal Service!
Loyal Opposition? Politics is more than just symbolism, but just may be the non Democrats and non Republicans are not smart enough to prevail against the establishment choke hold on American public administration —-much less survive for more than a couple of decades!
Democrats and the GOP have done a lot of stupid things, but in the end they are more corrupt than dim witted. You know the ‘Picture’ of the Donkey and the Pacaderm, and their last few candidates, lose or win!
The ‘Room Temperature IQ’ of the minor political organizations? The voter in the street has not a clue on the non Democrats and non Republicans besides the Liberty Bell or Statute of Liberty of the Libertarians and Henry Ross Perot, Jesse Ventura, and Ralph Nader.
The Democrats and Republicans are so evil, but the resistance is so prone to self inflicted wounds!