The Ross Perot Effect

Or How to Hand this Election to the Democrats

Today I hear many people say that John McCain isn't Conservative enough for the Republican Party. They don't want to see Barak Hussein Obama President, but they won't support McCain.

That is their right. Each citizen of the United States has the right and responsibility to vote their conscience. It is the duty of each voter to understand the issues and the candidate's positions on the issues. Without doing either of those things, the election becomes a "beauty contest", with voters backing the best looking and most charismatic.

So now Religious Conservatives are talking about bolting from the Republican Party and voting for another candidate, Bob Barr has been mentioned. Especially if John McCain doesn't take a Conservative as his running mate.

Both of those are bad ideas.

First: John McCain's running mate.

John McCain needs to reach out to Independents and Democrats now. If he and his ticket is seen as too Conservative, too far to the right, they will not come over to him. They will run right into Obama's camp, screaming: "Save us from the Right!" What John McCain needs is a centrist like himself. Maybe someone like Lindsey Graham (R, SC). A conservative like Mike Huckabee or Mitt Rommey would drive many away from a Republican Ticket.

Any Vice Presidential candidate should reflect John McCain's views not just a segment of the Republican Party.

Second: Voting for a third party.

No third party candidate ever has won the Presidency of the United States. None of them. The closest was Theodore Roosevelt as the candidate of the Bull Moose Party (Progressive Party). He came in second after Woodrow Wilson.


In 1992 H. Ross Perot, an independent, won 18.9% of the popular vote (but no electoral votes). His was the second-best popular vote showing ever for a third-party candidate, trailing only Theodore Roosevelt in 1912. Perot finished second in three states. It was said that this and not the economy was the real reason George H. W. Bush lost the election.

In 1996 H. Ross Perot again ran for President, this time as a member of the Reform Party. He won 8% of the popular vote.

In 2000, Green Party candidate Ralph Nader, ran for President. He took votes away from Al Gore and George W. Bush won the election. Democrats concede that it was Ralph Nader who handed Bush the election. And they are right.

It would be easy to choose someone that you really like. And it is your right to do so. But remembering the history of third parties and ask yourself if you would like to see a President Obama? For if enough Conservatives bolt, they will be handing the election to Obama. Just assuredly as if they had voted for him.

It is the Ross Perot Effect. The spoiler this time would be you.