Vote third party or stay home -- what's the difference?

[rogerashton]

Would Hillary run as a third party candidate if she does not get the Democratic nomination?

I don't think she has actually pledged, as Bernie has, not to run a third party candidacy.

But of course she would not run a third party candidacy. She is neither stupid nor committed enough to do anything like that. However, we have seen hint after hint that some of her supporters would not turn out if a "white male" is nominated, and let's see -- who is the nonwhite candidate for the democratic nomination? Kshama is committed not to run as a Democrat, I believe -- and with Warren out, Hillary seems to be the only female prospect.

Vote third party or stay home -- what's the difference?

Well, let's keep it positive. I would like to hear Hillary pledge that, if she does not get the nomination, she will do all she can to bring her supporters out for the party nominee. Of course, she won't do that, since that would be a concession that she is not inevitable. I'll settle for seeing Hillary supporters on DU pledge that they will do all they can to turn out Hillary supporters if she is not the nominee.

Anyway, if Hillary is the nominee, I'll vote for her. I won't even have to hold my nose. Meanwhile, feel the Bern!

[stone space]

1. Huge difference. If you stay home, your vote won't get counted.

Vote third party or stay home -- what's the difference?

Unless you vote by absentee ballot from your home, of course.

[Paka]

2. I would have to hold my nose so tightly...

that I would pass out before I could put an X in the box.

[Motown_Johnny]

3. Hillary has Bill's legacy to worry about

She can't run third party and it really shouldn't be suggested that she might. If she were going to do that she could have done that in '08.

[NYCButterfinger]

4. No. Hillary Clinton will not run third party.

If she does that, say hello to President Kasich, President Bush III, or President Cruz. She will not.

[TexasProgresive]

5. If you would vote for a 3rd party candidate or stay at home

instead of voting for the Dem candidate you must take responsibility for another Scalia or Thomas on the court. I know that my opinion will not be received well but some battles are more important than others and getting a Supreme Court more in balance with our tastes is one of the most important.

[HereSince1628]

6. Dems are a coalition of parties, I've regularly only had the option to vote third party

Running --outside-- the two major parties only makes sense...

1) When a movement is trying to grow from the bottom up and candidacy brings recognition and campaign assistance.

2) When an obstructionist movement wants to block a major party candidate.

Republicans have had less of this problem since the Libertarians left them after Goldwater. Libertarian ineffectiveness as an outside party is what brought the tea-party back inside on their pirateering raid on that party.

Neoliberal democrats have the progressive wing caged in the f***ing' ret**d zone.

[brooklynite]

7. Please fel free to share your "hints"...

...I, of course, will be able to easily show the not-subtle-at-all "I'll never vote for Hillary Clinton" comments posted here.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. I don't vote for labels.

[Chellee]

9. What's the difference? Well, the down ticket races for one thing.

Fine, vote third party and hand the White House to the Republicans. But I'm assuming people are still going to vote Democratic in the other races. I guess it depends on how many types of offices they'd like to hand to the opposition: the presidency, a senate seat, a house seat, a governorship, a state legislature seat, the mayor's office, the school board?

I am not a Hillary supporter, but I will absolutely vote for her if she's the nominee. But more importantly, I will be in that booth making sure every race I can have some influence over gets a vote from me as well.

[artislife]

10. "Kshama is committed not to run as a Democrat, I believe"

I couldn't vote for her because I don't live in her district, but she is in no way ready to be president.

Her power is railing against the system. I don't think I will ever see her as a viable candidate for the presidency. And I don't think she would seriously run. I could be wrong, but I don't see it.

My 2 cents