With the increasing political partisanship having been seen in the United States in the past three decades, many are looking for third party candidates outside of the entrenched Democratic and Republican parties. The two major U.S. parties are significantly more divided than in earlier decades with little cross-over within the parties making compromise and agreement on needed legislation more difficult than ever.
Obstructionism has become not an occasional tactic but one that has become the rule of the day on a national level. It openly stated and practiced by the minority party to prevent any meaningful action on the part of the majority party. The two parties are seen by many as interested only in their own power rather than the public good as evidenced by the low public approval ratings of both parties.
In 2010, 40% of Americans identify as independents, many of whom desire to see a diminishment of the partisanship and regressive influence of the existing two party system that has been in practice in the U.S. for the past 100 years. Many see the top elected officials disregarding the serious issues facing the citizenry in favor of focusing their efforts on their own re-election and the furtherance of corporate goals and agendas. It was the desire to see a change from “business as usual” politics in 2008 that drew 19 million independent voters to Barack Obama to ensure his election. However, those Obama backing independents did not become Democrats. The number of independent voters continues to increase.
There are serious barriers facing independent presidential candidates. Closed primaries in many states prevent independent voters from having a voice in primary elections where representatives are chosen. Closed primaries are dominated by partisan, ideologically driven loyalists who are supported by their party establishment. Discriminatory ballot access requirements add another obstacle, being heavily biased against third-party and independent candidates. Nationally televised presidential debates that are sponsored by the Democratic and Republican parties frequently exclude all but party-sanctioned candidates from participation.
Though the U.S. Constitution does not mention political parties, the current two parties operate within a closed system with rules they have determined. Geographic districting is drawn to ensure the continuance of two-party power. These rules are designed to prevent competition in order to sustain the system and the power of the parties.
The growing movement of independents who recognize that nonpartisan politics result in the best public policy are poised to drive reform of the current electoral process. Discontent with the status quo will certainly see independent presidential candidates running in 2012.