Third-party candidates join McCain, Obama on U.S. ballots, Stephen Hui, 19 Oct, straight.com
Marian Douglas
Third-party candidates join McCain, Obama on U.S. ballots
While the mainstream media's coverage obscures this fact, John McCain and Barack Obama aren't the only politicians running for president of the United States in the 2008 general election.
Voters in New York, for instance, have five third-party options on November 4: Bob Barr (Libertarian), Róger Calero (Socialist Workers), Gloria La Riva (Socialism & Liberation), Cynthia McKinney (Green), and Ralph Nader (Populist).
If elected, McKinney would become the first black woman to hold the presidency. She served six-terms in Congress as a Democratic representative from Georgia. Together, McKinney and Green vice presidential nominee Rosa Clemente compose the first all-women-of-colour ticket to take a run at the White House.
As for Nader, this is his third major attempt to land the country's highest office. Democrats blame Nader for Al Gore's loss to George W. Bush in 2000, but the consumer advocate continues to challenge the "corrupt" two-party system, which he says keeps power in the hands of Democrats and Republicans who represent corporate interests.
These third-party candidates didn't get a chance to participate in the widely followed televised debates featuring McCain and Obama, and vice presidential candidates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin. The Commission on Presidential Debates only admits candidates who have received the support of at least 15 percent of voters in national opinion polls.
McCain and Obama supporters in New York don't have to vote for their candidate under the Democratic or Republican banner, due to the state's fusion voting system. The Conservative and Independence parties have also nominated McCain, and the Working Families Party is backing Obama on the ballot.
New Yorkers can also vote for a write-in candidate.
========================================Cynthia McKinney for President
www.votetruth08.com
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