Opinion: Is Voting Third Party a Real Option for Conservatives?

Many conservatives believe the GOP is a lost cause. Conservatives in the Republican Party are frustrated because in the last two decades the party has expanded the federal government and sided with Democrats on too many issues. During the 2012 election, over 3 million conservatives stayed home rather than vote for Mitt Romney, who they considered to be a moderate Republican. Ironically, the mainstream Republicans blamed conservatives for their presidential loss in 2012 and now believe they need a new strategy to attract different political constituents. Many prominent Republicans believe they must become more moderate on social issues like gay marriage and abortion, promote tax increases on the wealthy, and expand more Government programs to gain new votes. Conservatives are also frustrated that the GOP establishment shunned the ideas of the Tea Party, social conservatives, and twelve-term US Congressman Ron Paul (R), by not giving them prominent speaking roles during their convention. 

Many groups like the Tea Party have done a great job helping conservatives get elected in the GOP, and groups like RINO Hunt (Republicans in name only), perform the arduous task of weeding out politicians who compromise on their conservative principles. However, many conservatives are skeptical that the GOP can be reformed from within or have the political fortitude to bring real change in Washington. They feel that the Republican establishment will never allow a “real” conservative to be their presidential nominee, and many conservatives feel that they have been ousted from the Republican Party. This discontent with the status quo and mirage of political reform is causing a political seismic shift and mass exodus of conservatives who are fleeing from the GOP. But are third parties the “promise land” conservatives are hoping for?

In 2012, both the Libertarian Party and the Constitution Party executed impressive grassroot campaigns to get their candidates on the ballot in most states. Both parties created milestones by debating each other on a national stage, the first ever third party presidential debate, moderated by Larry King. In this historic event, many Americans heard their message for the first time, while streaming live over the Internet. Third parties around the country are gaining momentum because there is a growing outcry for real political change and people want more options than just a two party system in American.

Both the Libertarian Party and the Constitution Party share similar positions that are central to conservative principles such as: ending the Federal Reserve, abolishing the income tax and replacing it with a fair tax, cutting spending and balancing a budget, bringing troops home, stopping nation building and military interventions, reducing unnecessary military spending, ending foreign aid, having term limits, repealing the Patriot Act and NDAA, and protecting 2nd Amendment rights.

Although the Libertarian Party and the Constitution Party share common key issues, there are some issues that separate them and send many conservatives running for the hills. For example, the one issue that prevents many conservatives from joining the Libertarian Party is gay marriage. The 2012 Libertarian presidential candidate, Gary Johnson, wants to amend the US Constitution to mandate states to recognize gay marriage as a civil rights issue. Many conservatives cannot support this because over 32 states have already banned gay marriage and believe that it should remain a states’ rights issue. Furthermore, they do not believe that homosexual behavior is a civil right. Many conservatives feel that the Libertarian Party could gain more momentum if they would not let controversial issues like legalizing cannabis and gay marriage define their party.

The one issue that prevents many conservatives from joining the Constitution Party is their overly theocratic language throughout their platform. While Democrats try to take God out of their platform, the Constitution Party makes it clear that Christianity is central to their party’s platform.

“The Constitution Party gratefully acknowledges the blessing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as Creator, Preserver and Ruler of the Universe and of these United States. We hereby appeal to Him for mercy, aid, comfort, guidance and the protection of His Providence as we work to restore and preserve these United States.”

Many conservatives are deeply religious and believe that they “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,” but do not want a government theocracy. Many conservatives and right-leaning libertarians feel if they would adopt the language of the Declaration of Independence instead of using “Biblical” language they would have no problems joining their party. The Constitution Party could gain more momentum if they can reinvent themselves with a new brand image, and achieve their goals by developing a more effective way to communicate their message on how they will restore America back to the Constitution.

The Libertarian Party and the Constitution Party, despite their differences, both share a unique passion for fiscal responsibility, protection of rights from government intrusion, and commitment to personal freedoms. The strategy of “voting for the lesser of two evils” has failed conservatives in the last few elections. Many Republicans say that voting for a third party is just, “wasting your vote,” but many conservatives feel that “wasting your vote” is voting for someone you don’t believe in. Ron Paul states that it may take an entire generation to change Washington by building a good foundation of conservative principles, educating young people, and promoting grassroots campaigns around the country. Revolution is in the air and conservatives are anxious for a major political paradigm shift in the US. They are looking for a charismatic leader to unite like minded conservatives, libertarians, constitution loving patriots, evangelicals, Ron Paul supporters, and members of the Tea Party to lead a liberty movement to restore conservative principles that made this country great!