Why do some people continue to pretend we live in a country...

[ProSense]

where the two options most Americans are realistically considering are "my ideal candidate on the left" and "Democrats"?

Political Left: Nader has a following. Sanders (votes with Dems mostly) has a following. Obama has a following (primarily Democrats).

Political Right: Ron Paul has a following. Barr has a following. McCain has a following (primarily Republicans).

Most people pick one (your choice), and understand that most American voters support Democrats or Republicans. Neither party (and certainly not a third party) can win without picking up some of his/her opponent's base.

American politics is complicated: Sen. James Inhofe (Kook-OK) doesn't believe in global warming and he voted against the bailout. From Think Progress:

Inhofe’s office has said he “does not hire openly gay staffers ‘due to the possibility of a conflict of agenda.’” Standing before a large photograph of his family on the Senate floor in 2006, Inhofe proudly declared that “in the recorded history of our family, we’ve never had a divorce or any kind of homosexual relationship.”

Yet the people of Oklahoma continue returning this nut to the Senate.


On edit: I remember the debate after the 2006 election. Some claimed centrist won the day. Others noticed a shift to the left. One thing is certain, progress doesn't happen overnight.




edited for clarity.

[ProSense]

1. It also helps to

know where the candidates stand on the issues.

[marimour]

2. exactly. instead of feigning surprise 5 weeks b4 the election.

[Davis_X_Machina]

3. In Europe they have elections...

...and form a governing coalition based on the results.

In the US, you form the coalition, and then fight the election.

Millions of bytes of election advice posted here is completely useless because it doesn't take this simple fact into consideration.

[Davis_X_Machina]

4. In Europe they have elections... Message:

...and form a governing coalition based on the results.

In the US, you form the coalition, and then fight the election.

Millions of bytes of election advice posted here is completely useless because it doesn't take this simple fact into consideration.

[ProSense]

5. Here is a fact:

This isn't Europe.

Sorry, but this is the same problem as cited in the OP. Deal with the country we're in.