I just want it to be clarified that many very intelligent people oppose the idea of third parties, or oppose voting for them given the situation right now.

I know that I'm the main subject of the Hillary lines in the OP, so I would just like to note that I am in the process of becoming the founding President of my campus's Green Party chapter - which, given the fractured and weak Iowa Green Party right now, will hopefully expand into becoming the leading Green Party force in Iowa right now. Alternatively I've considered establishing a permanent group to be a partition or counterpart of the Democratic Party that exists separately but sort of within the party, pulling the whole thing to the left the best we can.

I am voting for Hillary Clinton; I am a registered Democrat. I have her books, I have followed her political career for over eight years now, and I would probably quite literally bleed for her if necessary. But I am also someone who strives for intellectual discussion, for more representation in American political systems, and for a more diverse system. I also fight for the Democratic Party, because despite my intellect and my attention to the political workings of America - or, perhaps, because of them - I have faith in this party and its potential.

I just wanted to note that I don't like the idea that diehard Democrats (or Republicans, but I'm not going to defend them and I'm not sorry about it) can't be incredibly intelligent individuals with deep understanding of the world and political system around them. There can be disagreements about whether this system we have is inherently evil and untrustworthy. There are some of us who indeed would like to see more parties despite identifying very closely with one of the two big ones.

I'd like to elaborate upon why I would have such an interest in the Green Party and would start a chapter at my university, despite openly identifying as a Democrat and having no intention to switch my registration. I will always be a Democrat - I will always be a part of a party that I see as being good, as being a trailblazer in liberal ideology and policy for generations. As I brought up with you the other day, I have deep respect for the liberal accomplishments of Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Barack Obama. I have deep respect for what they stood for, and by the same token I have an unwavering and powerful sense of admiration for Hillary Clinton. She has worked long and hard for the ideas that I want to see in our policy, and I honestly don't believe for a second that she is the monster that some claim her to be. We could talk about her another time. But I want the Democrats to unite with the Green Party, learn from them, establish a relationship, and work for the betterment of America, because I am a very liberal Democrat who aligns extremely well with Greens.

I have admiration for the way that the Green Party has striven to bring national attention to very liberal lines of thought, especially regarding environmentalism and a few other things. I think that Jill Stein is an incredibly essential figure in American politics right now, actually. She legitimately seeks the absolute best for our country, advocating tested and proven liberal ideology as the solution to our problems. I admire the grassroots campaigning and the hard work that is essential in the Green Party's operation and in motivating people to fight for these solutions. That's part of why I'm so deeply interested in them as a third party; the other part is, of course, my own ideological leanings. I want that model of hard work, of honest and unabashed liberalism and factual evidence, to be the model for the Democratic Party going forward.

Where you and I differ most is perception. I do not find there is a basis for me to reject or hate the Democratic Party; you do. I feel that most Democrats are working hard for change and progress that helps the people of this country. They are working toward full practicing voting rights for everyone; they are working toward breaking up the banks when necessary to ensure the security of citizens; they are working for women's reproductive health and economic equity; and there's so much more. There are corporate interests involved, sure, but I don't see that always as being bad. In fact, I would expect with the size of the party that there are a few rotten apples. I don't see that party as being corrupt or evil in any way that is inherent to its being; not at all.

I'll be sticking around in here a little bit if it takes off to talk more about the Green Party, my identification on some level with it, and how I would like to see it work in the future, and I'll certainly engage myself in this discussion. I just thought it necessary - given your recent help request's contents and the contents of this thread - to be forthright about my own stance on third parties and to provide some background showing that I'm very open to (and enthusiastic about) their participation in politics.

Another poll came out today putting Gary Johnson at 10%, but they aren't including Stein yet. Ideally both names should be in the poll. This one puts Clinton at 38% and Trump at 35%, though another w/ GJ @ 10% poll gave Trump a 42-37 advantage. I'm thinking more than enough of the undecideds will come Johnson's way to get over the 15% threshold for the debates.

Of course, the Our America Initiative lawsuit against the Commission on Presidential Debates wants to eliminate the 15% rule and allow both Johnson and Stein in the debates. My Thesis concentrates largely on these lawsuits (the other one filed by Level The Playing Field against BOTH the CPD AND the Federal Elections Commission). Research shows a 3rd party candidate usually has to receive around 80% recognition to get to 15% in the polls, and often the polls intentionally exclude anyone other than Republicans and Democrats. This year seems different so far though, and I hope the trend toward this changing the political system in America continues.

I'll share some of my research on this thread, since I feel like people on here will appreciate what I post. I'm up to 40 sources right now, and obviously it seems like there are more sources appearing on a daily basis. I hope to get my Thesis published, as my Professor (who actually likes Clinton but nonetheless admires my efforts) thinks we can accomplish.

There are only three candidates who will be on the ballot in all 50 states this fall:

Hillary Clinton
Donald Trump
Gary Johnson

Come on people the choice is NOT hard. We need to spread awareness for the only safe and sane person who has a chance. Let's get him above 15%, he'll take it from there!

The Libertarian Party Presidential Debate is on C-SPAN right now! Check it out!

I second this statement!

Johnson doesn't want funding for stem cell research, wants to eliminate corporate tax, and doesn't believe in gay marriage (from what I've read). It's a no thank you for me.

I really wish Jill Stein got more attention.

Johnson is very pro-gay

He's a libertarian, that's one of the core beliefs: equality under the law.

Stein should get more attention, she's basically a female Bernie. Surprised that his supporters aren't flocking to her.

I identify with most views of the green party, so hi! I'm not really political actually, but cool to know how there's an american community on ATRL that doesn't fall into democrat nor republican

I saw that after I posted that. I was looking at something that suggested he supported civil unions but not gay marriage. After seeing a few more sources, he's very pro LGBT.

I'll be voting for gary johnson. i'm just so frustrated with the gop and democrat party right now

I agree. I think we will have a third party that will become a force to be reckoned with (Libertarian or Green)

I'm for whatever party is for big government. So obvi not a libertarian. Is it GP than?

I'm anti democrat and anti republican the election system is f'd in our country and people fall for the media's bait, the propaganda, and the ********

I would definitely vote for Stein this fall if I could. It just sucks how irrelevant the Green Party is.

Social media is probably the key to pushing third party candidates. The Grassroots Select subreddit is a great example of how the Internet might be able to be used to push non-establishment candidates this cycle and in the future.

I actually have photos of myself with four of the LP POTUS Candidates from our Convention over Memorial Day, but I can't get photos to upload on ATRL. If anyone on this thread has any suggestions I'll happily share my convention photos.

The Green Party is for big government economically, but against government intrusions on civil liberties, personal freedoms, and anti-military interventionism. Basically the Green Party is for Socialism economically and for protecting the environment, but it is quite similar to the Libertarians on social and many other issues.

I am glad to have you on our thread!