Lesson of 2004 and 2008: Major Parties Perform Better When They Tolerate Minor Party Opposition

Posted on by November 4, 2008
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There are many, many historical markers from tonight’s election. One that must not be forgotten is this: major parties that disrespect voters by trying to eliminate minor party and independent candidates, live to regret it.

In 2004, the Democratic National Committee spent millions of dollars to prevent voters from voting for Ralph Nader. Democrats lost the presidential election of 2004.

In 2008, the Pennsylvania Republican Party spent lavishly to prevent voters in Pennsylvania from voting for Bob Barr. Republicans lost the presidential election in Pennsylvania and nationally.

Also in 2008, the Maine Democratic Party became the one state Democratic Party in the country that acted to eliminate competition in a U.S. Senate race. Maine Democratic Party officials challenged the ballot position of Herb Hoffman, an anti-war independent. But the voters of Maine then re-elected Republican Susan Collins with a stunning 59% of the vote against Democratic nominee Thomas Allen.

Libertarians Seem to Retain North Carolina Ballot Access

Posted on by November 4, 2008
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For the first time in its history, the North Carolina Libertarian Party seems to have polled enough votes to remain on the ballot. With 41% of the North Carolina vote counted, the Libertarian gubernatorial candidate, Mike Munger, has 2.81% of the vote. Either he, or Bob Barr, needs 2% for the party to remain on the ballot for the next four years.

Another Hearing Set in Lawsuit Over American Independent Party State Officers in California

Posted on by November 4, 2008
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A California Superior Court Judge will hold a hearing in Sacramento in King v Bowen on December 19, at 9 a.m. This is the case concerning the identity of the proper state officers of the American Independent Party. The first hearing, held on August 26, had resulted in leaving Alan Keyes on the ballot as the party’s presidential candidate, instead of Chuck Baldwin. However, that decision had turned on the legal technicality that the Baldwin faction had not served Alan Keyes with notice of the lawsuit.

Guam Vote Partially Counted

Posted on by November 4, 2008
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Partian returns from Guam, as of 6:30 a.m. Pacific time, are: Obama 8,796; McCain 5,355; Barr 97.

Although the Barr vote looks puny, it works out to .68%. In 2004, Libertarian presidential nominee Michael Badnarik polled .20% in Guam. Thanks to IndependentPoliticalReport for these returns.

Although no presidential candidate visisted Guam this year, there was a Democratic presidential primary in Guam this year, and Obama did have a campaign office in Guam, which helped him beat Hillary Clinton in this year’s Guam Democratic presidential primary.

The Guam Election Commission’s web page, http://gec.guam.gov, is not one of those official sites that carries preliminary election data. That site probably won’t have the vote posted for another ten days.