Can an independent canidate win the US election?
150495
The American electoral system is based on plurality, which fosters a two-party system. Third parties may collect a high number of votes; however, in reality, these votes are usually wasted on a losing candidate. \n\nIn contrast, most European electoral systems are based on proportional voting; in other words, actual votes for a party correspond to actual seats in a legislative body, such as Parliament.\n\nThe main reason an independent candidate can not win the presidency is due to the lack of financial resources. Unless someone like Donald Trump was running, a candidate mostly relies on party fundraising as his or her major financial resource. As an independent, the candidate would not have the resources of the two established parties.\n\nInterestingly, Geena Davis's character on ABC's Commander In Chief is an independent female President who took the oath due to the former President's death. Already an issue that has been brought up, it will be interesting to observe the focus on fundraising as an independent running for election.
727895
It sounds like you are an independent American capable of thinking and wanting what is right for the country. Now if we can just get our "leaders" to listen maybe we can fix this country.
1053799
Of course!  It is one of the best scenarios that people in the know have come up with to improve and streamline our electoral system.  In other words, anything but the present system!  It sux!
634314
He doesn't have a hope.  He'd have to get Republicans to vote for him.  The populist Republicans would vote for any third party candidate first, even knowing that would put the Democrat candidate in power.  All the spending of big business won't buy their vote now, and Democrats aren't about to cross lines for him.
724657
Depends upon what you mean by the "fall" of the US. If you mean a departure from the Representative Republic that the Constitution and was based upon.....Quite possibly. The people of this nation were once a very independent and self reliant people. Now, with current politics as they are and politicians "buying" the vote with social welfare programs and the generalize apathy from the public I could easily see it happening. Without a strong 3rd party political party, I do not see a change from the course we are on.
800394
When do independents vote?
699213
with enough signatures by registered voters you could be a write in canidate.Im sure you would get some votes.
92808
Dependant------Democrates   Independent------Republicans
1178868
Potentially, there would be NO restrictions that would limit or refuse the coming of a 3rd political party. In fact, the history of the United States has actually had 3 political parties yet one of them seemed to always fail. (This was easily seen in the 1800's while Americans continued to establish their democracy).\n\nToday, we know this "3rd" political party as the "Independents." Independents claim they do not pick and choose which party they want to belong to. Instead, they "supposedly" agree with neither the Democrats or the Republicans. They are a party of themselves and create new ideas that do no lean to one side or the other. Some might even consider the Independents as the "middle" man.\n\nHowever, because the U.S. is so politically divided, the Independents rarely make it into office due to their scattered infrastructure and organization. Because in a political system that either goes one way or not, a majority of citizens find it hard to "come between." This isn't to say that this cannot exist, but it's difficult. It's like the ole saying, "You're either with us, or against us."
309252
the us needs more than chuck norris to win
649083
Yes, but it might depend on type of government
271623
Absolutely, and they can.  The problem we have right now is that there is no third party strong enough.  I voted for a third-party candidate back in the Carter race and then realized that there was no hope of it making a difference.  The party wasn't strong enough.  I can't even tell you now who the guy was.  The Green party runs in many races but don't seem to be making a lot of progress.  There are about 100 Libertarians holding office in state and national positions.  The communist party always seems to show up and, thankfully, lose.  I think the Dems and Reps are getting harder to tell apart anymore in their agendas.  I hope to see some better choices in the future.
577196
The track record for third parties in this country has never been one of success. Even the Republican party only became viable after the whigs disbanded. I'm afraid the answer is yes, but not successfully. Americans only have the capacity to understand a binary political system. As long as the majority of the American sheeple continue to blindly toss thier votes away on these bufoons, we won't make any progress.
1049518
It'll never, ever happen.\n\nNeither of them can finance an election by themselves...they need the support of their parties... \n\nMcCain is never going to be the Republican nominee (the press wishes he was, which is why you might think he's a frontrunner, but the reality is, he has NO chance), and Lieberman has been abandoned by HIS party, the Democrats, because he correctly supports the war on terror.
139725
Yes he can, but chances are that he won't even try.  Once you've lost the presidential primary, your chances of ever winning the office are very slim.
1160215
No. Third Parties have never been able to cut to the chase in this country. And I think that may be a good thing. \n\nDespite the tendency for there to be more independents in this country than Democrats or Republicans, the fact is that the power to make changes rests in the structure of a two party system. \n\nA lot of people have tried and a lot of people have failed, but the two party system is here to stay, no matter how hard everyone tries to build a third party. \n\nIf you would all get out there and organize to try to build a third party, I would support you and join you. But until then, it's just two parties.
950983
Independent!  Or the Let's Have a Party.