Third Party Threat

Because I was only 17 when the last Presidential election took place, people often ask me who I would you have voted for in the general election if given the chance. People that know me and my political views expected my answer to be Hillary Clinton, I usually respond by saying, “Gary Johnson”. Of course, I’m met with a myriad of question: “Why?” “Are you insane?” “Isn’t he insane?” But mostly, people say, “You really think he should have been the president?” Short Answer: No. Long Answer: No, I don’t think Gary Johnson would be a good president; from not knowing what “Aleppo” is to not knowing the name of North Korea’s dictator to being unable to name a single foreign leader, Johnson is clearly not right for the job. I would vote for him, not because I believe in him or his politics, but because I believe in having more points of view in our political arena. Though the winner take all system of the electoral college makes it nearly impossible to have a competitive 3rd party, if Johnson (or Jill Stein or any other 3rd party candidate) were to get over 15% of the electorate, his party would be granted a spot at the national debates during the next presidential election. By including these views on the world stage, we not only get the general perspective, but influence the policies of the major parties more effectively. For example, if the Green Party had a candidate participating in presidential debates, Democrats would have to strengthen their policy on climate change in order to not lose that base of voters. Often people make the argument that votes for Johnson or Stein are the reason that Trump was elected; they took away from Hillary’s voter base. While, technically, that is true when considering the popular vote, it ultimately doesn’t make a difference in the Electoral College, coming from a state and district as strongly blue as Illinois. A third party candidate will never assume the presidency, but that doesn’t mean their participation and contribution in the political arena shouldn’t be appreciated and encouraged.