Lessons learned from Election 2010

About the only rule that can be learned from the 2010 midterm elections is that there are no rules. As cliché as this may sound, the fact is no conventional wisdom held true in this election.

Incumbency, long considered an asset, was frequently a handicap this year.

Third Parties in Missouri: An Analysis

With less than 48 hours to Election Day, I will use this post to compare and contrast the three main third parties in Missouri.

Nationwide, the Libertarian, Constitution, and Green parties are the largest political parties after the Republican and Democratic parties. Over the past few weeks, I discussed the status of these parties’ affiliates in the state of Missouri.

Third Parties in Missouri: The Progressive Party (Part 3 of 3)

Not every third party is receiving increased support this year. Despite its efforts to put candidates on the ballot, the Progressive Party of Missouri has only one write-in candidate running this year.

Third Parties in Missouri: The Constitution Party (Part 2 of 3)

Third parties nationwide share the belief that the Republican and Democratic parties’ agendas do not coincide with the people’s views, and try to differentiate their platforms from those of the major parties. For one party, the overriding factor in deciding their platform is the text of the U.S. Constitution.

The Constitution Party, one of the largest third parties in the country, claims to base all of its policies on a strict interpretation of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Third Parties in Misouri: The Libertarian Party (Part 1 of 3)

The success of the Tea Party movement has led to several upsets at the polls. Although most of this voter anger has translated into Republican Party success, such as with Scott Brown and Christine O’Donnell, the Libertarian Party is drawing some benefit as well.

Countdown to Election 2010

With three weeks to go, the 2010 race is heating up across the country, and Missouri is no exception. On November 2, Missourians will vote on Congressional and General Assembly seats, state and county administrative positions, and several ballot measures. Over the next three weekends leading up to the election, I will discuss and analyze the platforms of the largest third parties in Missouri: the Libertarians, the Constitutionalists, and the Progressives. I will discuss them in the following order:

Libertarian: October 16

Constitution: October 23

Progressive: October 30

 

Stay tuned for details.