Gallup poll sees growing support for third party in GOP, Tea Party

[babylonsister]

Trouble in paradise?


Gallup poll sees growing support for third party in GOP, Tea Party
By Michael O'Brien - 05/09/11 02:56 PM ET


A majority of Republicans said for the first time that a third party was needed in American politics, according to a Gallup poll released Monday.

Fifty-two percent of Republicans, and an even stronger number of Tea Party supporters, support the creation of a major, third political party, underscoring the occasional tensions between grassroots conservatives and the GOP establishment.

An overall majority of Americans, 52 percent, said that a third political party was needed; the most profound shift has come among Republicans.

more...

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/160021-gallup-poll-sees-growing-support-for-third-party-in-gop-tea-party

[pampango]

1. "... more Republicans, at 52%, currently support a third party versus a mere 33% of Democrats"

http://caivn.org/article/2011/05/10/gallup-despite-small-dip-majority-americans-still-support-third-party

Despite support being down from 58% in August 2010, Americans by an overall margin of 52% to 40% believe that both Democrats and Republicans do such a poor job of representing their constituents that a third party is needed in American politics. When the poll is broken down by traditional political party voters, more Republicans, at 52%, currently support a third party versus a mere 33% of Democrats.

While it's seemingly typical that the party opposite the sitting president's party would advocate more for a third party as Democrats did during the Bush Administration's days in the White House, Gallup found for the first time that a significantly higher percentage of Republicans than Democrats are in favor of a third party at this point in time. This is a significant change from the 2006 Democratic Party's victories. In 2007, 48% of Democrats along with 43% of Republicans wanted to see a third party. That gap came even closer in 2008 when 40% of Democrats and 38% of Republicans shared the same sentiment.

In an examination of Tea Party members' views regarding a third party, Gallup found that 60% support such an idea while 44% of their opponents support the idea. Regarding whether or not the current two parties are adequate, Tea Party support plummeted to 32% while their opponents' support for this idea remained steady at 47%. This isn't surprising considering that the Tea Party has the feel of being a third party and has had an impact in holding the Republican and Democratic Parties accountable, particularly when it comes to deficit spending.

While facing certain institutional challenges like distributing electoral votes in the case of a third party candidate, Gallup's assessment of the country's sentiment toward a third party is that it wouldn't be surprising to see one run in 2012, reflecting the country's majoritarian sentiment. Donald Trump, for instance, has threatened to run as an Independent (despite electability questions). Eyes are also on Congressman Ron Paul to see if he will break from the Republican Party to run as an Independent against Barack Obama. However, Gallup posits that a third party candidate acting as a major factor is unlikely based on history.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. "Support for Third U.S. Party Dips, but Is Still Majority View "

the actual gallup headline.

Oh and THE FREAKING TEABAGNUT PARTY IS ALLEGEDLY A THIRD PARTY MOVEMENT. So one would expect that "an even stronger number of" TEABAGNUTS would support a third party. Then again TEH STUPID is so pervasive within the bagnutters that any result is possible.

[Maeve]

3. Y'all go right ahead and do that little thing

It will increase the distinctions between the parties and re-focus the opposition...and hand the Democrats the country on a platter.

[City Lights]

4. I *strongly* encourage the Teabaggers to form an official party.

We'd have a Democrat running against a right-winger, and lunatic. What's not to like? :evilgrin:

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. That's good news for us, right?

Splits up the right-wing vote.

[Deep13]

6. Tea Bagger comment:

"The only way there will be a third party is if the Republicans forget the message sent by voters last November…Quite frankly if that happens, there could be open revolution against a broken system, with representatives of BOTH parties being shot on site…Thank goodness for the 2nd. amendment!
BY Mike the Mook on 05/09/2011 at 15:59"

THey really are a bunch of thugs.

[KharmaTrain]

8. Good...Let Them Punish "Republicans"...

The more they throw up litmus tests and steer this corrupt and weak party into a ditch the better. Seems like every rushpublican running for Congress is going to face a teabagger in the primary (if they're not a bagger already). This "true conservative" game is sure to alienate the ones who lose out in the primaries and we could see a reverse wave of '10 with a more energized Democratic base.

[kick-ass-bob]

11. "Thank goodness for the 2nd. amendment!"

I didn't know that allowed for political assassinations. :shrug:

[KharmaTrain]

7. No Surprise Here...

Some of us have been seeing this build for the past 6 years. There are distinct factions within the GOTB...the only thing they have in common is their racist hate for President Obama and to pay no taxes. The elite sneer at the fundies who wouldn't vote for a mormon who aren't too hot on a philandering baffoon who isn't fond of the moderates who are fearful of the teabaggers who are nothing but Paulbots. It's a messy and quite amusing scenario.


In '08 McCain won the nomination as being the best of the worst...the only big name candidate that stood a chance while the other "contenders" self imploded. He ended up having to grab Mooselini in hopes of keeping the fundies and the wingnuts in line. It ended up destroying his inept campaign when Grifterella starting "going rogue". But this is going to be a harmonious scenario compared to what happens next year.

With Ron Paul about to jump in, the nomination is going to be a lot more amusing and nasty. The Paulbots are the driving force behind the teabaggers but not enough support to make Paul the nominee...just enough to do damage. They're sure to get pissed at whomever becomes the front runner and I wouldn't be surprised if we see another (yes, Paul held his own convention in Minneapolis in '08) Paulbot revolt and a strong push for Paul or his idiot son to run as an independent. If he does, a good 10-20% of the rushpublican vote goes to a third party...if not, that vote sits home...

:hi:

[qb]

9. I support splitting the GOP into two competing parties!

:bounce:

[daa]

10. Ross Perot was more popular and had more money

than any potential candidates. The repukes can't even begin to settle on a candidate for less than 18 months.

Perot got 18.9%. There is such a limited market for "tea party" candidates that the only influence they hold is in safe repuke districts.

But if Steny Hoyer keeps saying OK to Medicare means testing then I will be for a third party.

[jpak]

12. Go GOP Douchebaggers

yup

[madinmaryland]

13. I would thoroughly enjoy seeing the GOP and the Teabaggers split into

two separate parties!!

[Peacetrain]

14. My son nailed it 2 years ago..he said that there will be a split

between the conservatives and you will have a libertarian wing and a values wing.. And that will be it for the republican party for 15 years till they clean out their bedbugs.. For a party so young, this has to be the third time I think they have started eating their own.

The thing is, we Democrats are always pegged as the ones who cannot hold it together.. and it is just the opposite.

Like most things.. we are better with the economy, with defense, with being a united party

[Renew Deal]

15. I strongly encourage them to do this.

:9

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

16. the question is, will it be rand worshipers or

Jebus warriors.

[Wounded Bear]

17. Time to mow the Astroturf, apparently....nt

:evilgrin: