Third-Party Picks Causing Barely a Ripple

Former NM governor will seek Libertarian nomination

(NEWSER) - Gary Johnson formally launched his bid to run for president as the Libertarian candidate today, declaring himself "liberated" and fed up with the "elitist media organizations" that largely ignored his attempt to run as a Republican, reports CNN . "I'm a Libertarian in belief," said the former New Mexico governor. "I successfully governed as a Libertarian in everything but the name, and I am running for president as a Libertarian." Among other things, he wants to eliminate the IRS and legalize marijuana. More»

He may be most prominent politician so far to float the idea

(NEWSER) - Some have called for a third political party, and you can add John McCain to the list of people who think one will emerge. He first brought up the possibility last year, but yesterday his forecast got even sharper. "Unless both parties change, then I think that it's an inevitability. We aren't doing anything for the people," the senator said at the Reuters Washington Summit. What might it be called? “I think a Fed-Up Party,” McCain said, shooting down the notion that the Tea Party will produce a candidate. More»

Northeast, Midwest would lose seats if today's census was used

(NEWSER) - The South is gaining population and power at the expense of the Northeast and Midwest, according to Census Bureau estimates released yesterday. If House seats were distributed based on the estimates, which are believed to be a strong predictor of the 2010 census results, Texas would be the big winner, gaining three seats, with Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington each adding one. More»

Fundraising boycott a good idea but doesn't go far enough

(NEWSER) - The two-party system gives gay Americans a terrible deal, and the proposed gay boycott of Democratic National Committee fundraising is a big step in the right direction toward changing the situation, writes Emma Ruby-Sachs . Cutting off funds to the party will push Democrats toward eliminating discrimination against gays and could lead to some real changes—but diverting those funds to third-party candidates would be even more effective, Ruby-Sachs urges in the Huffington Post. More»

(NEWSER) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said the "positive signals" coming from Barack Obama's camp could lead to warmer relations between the two countries, Reuters reports. “If these are not just words, if they get transformed into a practical policy, then of course our reaction will be adequate and our American partners will feel this at once,” said Putin, in a marked contrast to heated rhetoric during the Georgia crisis. More»