Why Did Bush Win: Lack of a Viable Third Party?

The Miami Herald has up a short and pretty much unsubstantiated article claiming that the solution to American polarization and the vitriol of politics is a viable third party. They do not say whether any current contenders (Reform, Green, Libertarian, etc.) would be a good choice, or whether a true new one is needed, but they seem passionate about it.

The two-party system is the source of the polarization. People are being forced to vote on a specific issue that may fall under only one party's platform rather than a majority of beliefs that represent their lifestyle....Imagine that a well-funded third party is created. Say that it believes in the same economic, social and foreign issues as the Democratic party, but also stresses the importance of traditional ethics and family values. If this happens, you may create a third party that takes away many evangelical Christians' votes from the Republicans -- those who vote solely on issues of morals and ethics. The third party may also appeal to many conservative Democratic voters who believe in a stronger moral platform....A popular third party is the balance of power that this country needs. It is ironic that America, which is supposed to be the beacon of democracy around the world, only provides its citizens the opportunity to be ''one'' or the ``other.''

Hmmm... No, sorry. A study of American history (as I understand it) shows that the Two Party system is more than just an accident of circumstance, but a fundamental part of how the American system works. While the European parliments can support many large parties because of the coalition-building required to form a government, the American system seems to follow a repeating pattern: two established parties staking on strong ideological ground, a third party springs up to oppose one party, finally either the third party displaces the party it is challenging or is displaced by it, leaving two major parties. Consider the Reform party. It was formed to challenge the democratic party primarily (though generally to oppose the spendthrift natures of both sides). It was strong for two elections as a check upon incumbent power. But then the major parties adopted its few resounding issues, and it wilted in the sun. Still, who knows if the Democrats might be displaced by a new liberal-but-not-against-family-values party like the Reforms or the Greens. And if the GOP fails to keep its finger on the pulse of America, the U.S. Constituion Party and others are always there to peel off the more conservative members of the conference.