Ralph Nader, The 3rd Party Spoiler (ft. Mr. Beat)

Can 3rd parties win in the USA? This video addresses the issue of the spoiler effect, Ralph Nader, and their lessons for future third party candidates like Jill Stein or Gary Johson. What can Florida 2000 teach us about election 2016?

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Thank you to Shanna Schultz for proof reading/writing advice.

In the year 2000, the narrow election between Al Gore and George Bush was impacted by the third party candidacy of Ralph Nader. Nader wanted to achieve 5% of the vote in order to qualify for federal funding in the next cycle. But controversy lives on to this day, as it appears Nader's presence in the swing-state of Florida tipped the blance of the election in favor of Gov. Bush. In this video I dive into the controvery, the facts, and posit that third party candidates in the US are ephemeral unless we pursue fundamental electoral reform. Until then, future third party candidates will either: 1) lose badly, 2) win and 'water down', or 3) spoil like Nader.

So who is Nader? Nader was a consumer activist for decades and ran several times for President. While he isn't solely responsible for Gore's loss, he certainly was a factor. This has large implications for the 3rd party candidacies of Gary Johnson and Jill Stein as they take on Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Presidential election.

Voting for the greens or voting third party is a consequential decision and shoulnd't be taken lightly.

Interview taken from CSPAN and from
Reason TV: "Ralph Nader on "Spoiling" the Election for Al Gore"

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Here’s my favorite series from Matt’s channel, “Presidential Elections in American History”:
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[atombaxter]

Sounds like we need to change the game not the player!

[fusscoopland]

If the American citizens have to make a decision between two of the most unpopular candidates instead of voting for a third party candidate, because of the reasons in this video, then the United States is really screwed.

[gststg]

I see your point. That being said with the age of the Internet and social media and declining mainstream media ratings 3rd party candidates will get more and more % of the votes. If Gary and Jill get 12-15% it's a big message. And as this number grows maybe the bipartisan garbage can end. That is how we did it in Canada .

[justinbond]

scapegoating scapegoating scapegoating....

many things are measurable factors... blaming another candidate is disgusting...an absolute deplorable notion disrespecting the essential rights given in what is supposed to be a democracy.

[elicrowleyycontreras]

Third Parties don't always lose:


Jesse Ventura was elected Governor of Minnesota under a third party ticket. (The Independence Party)


The Independence Party of New York, and the Working Families Party of New York each hold a seat in the State Assembly.


Angus King was elected as an Independent to be Governor of Maine, and Senator from Maine.
(There are Six Independents in the Maine House of Representatives)


The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire holds a seat in the House of Representatives.


The Progressive Party of Vermont has seats in both Houses of the State Legislature, and the Mayor of Burlington, the largest City in Vermont, is from the Progressive Party rather than the Democratic or Republican Parties.





It is illogical to say that Third Parties are always spoilers when they are not.

[JackLockermade]

You guys really need a ranked voting or alternative voting system! It's the most democratic system in my opinion.

[micheletotton]

As a South African I find US politics intriguing and your posts are very enlightening and interesting. Thank you

[drkmwinters]

10K subs! That is fabulous! I am so thrilled for you!

[ZacharyBittner]

this is pretty flawed because it doesn't consider the impact of a spoiler candidate. for example, if the libertarian party was the spoiler for trump, you might see the Republican party adopt a more libertarian stylized candidate next election in order to appeal to the constituents it previously loss. It also presumes that a third party voter that votes third party is robbing another candidate of a vote. However, most Americans do not vote at all. It is very likely that a person disgusted enough in the candidates running that they would vote for a third party. It's very likely they would not vote at all.

[pexfmezccle]

Americans must elect 3rd party candidates to Congress so they can push through electoral reform.

Thumbs up so everyone can, and should, see this.

[RyanFeatherston]

2 words as to why Gore lost: Elian. Gonzalez.

[krazykris]

Nader didn't spoil Florida, Pat Bucannan did (by being next to Gore on a confusing butterfly ballot).

[bretcoffey]

Checked out both your's and Mr. Beat's videos, both great stuff. Gotta say, your video was more convincing. Kind of feel played now that I voted third party...oh well. At least going forward I know that if I want more than a two party system, it's the first past the post system that needs changing, not the political parties.

Really digging your videos, keep up the great work!

[kristinb]

Honestly the only person Gore has to blame for losing the election is Gore. He ran a terrible campaign, picked a terrible VP pick, and was not the least bit inspiring. It's the same problem with HRC's campaign for presidency, and she has the added problem of being seen as less trustworthy than Trump which that takes a special person to pull that off, and she is tied with Trump in unfavorables. It's sickening to blame the people who are voting 3rd party as well as to blame the 3rd party candidates when a Democrat

loses. By the way the GOP Republicans started out as a 3rd party, so it's not impossible for a 3rd party to become a major party, but it sure is when people run around saying how impossible it is, and that it's pie in the sky dreaming. I'm sorry, but your arguments are aimed at the wrong candidates, and don't blame the voters for wanting to vote for a

candidate that they believe in rather than taking a short term approach and voting for "the lesser of two evils" approach. Which has brought us everything we feared anyway. The problem is money in politics and many people have awoken to that, and they can see just how much money HRC has taken and know that

she is going to work for her donors and not the best interest of the American people. Trump is moron and his agenda is dead on day 1 because Paul Ryan is not going to shepherd his policies through the house. Also what the Democrats aren't capable of filibustering and being obstructionist over any crazy Supreme Court nominees put forth by Trump.

[BizLeadT]

It is time to break up the two party system

[iopqu]

If you get 5%, you don't get nothing, you get matching funds.

[Nrod]

This video is hilarious a "spoiler vote" is voting for someone you don't believe

[Romulus]

Political Junkie:

In 2016 I voted Libertarian in the Presidential Election because I didn't see eye-to-eye with the other two main parties. I thought I was doing the right thing by voting my conscience and giving credence to a potential rising third party. At that time I was taking a world governments class and was learning about the electoral systems around the world and got a better understanding of how governments with multiple parties and first-past-the-post simply form coalitions to get what they want. After watching your video (shortly after the 2016 election), I came to the realization that I had made an ignorant and unrealistic vote. Although I am a conservative libertarian, I wouldn't vote as a libertarian again. Your video did educate me more about how third parties take advantage of swing voters and the division between part lines. Good job.

[lugal-zage-si]

We don't have to stand for the one party system in our country. There is only one party, but it has two wings. That party is the corporate party, some of them are socially liberal and some are socially insane. Jill Stein is in FAVOUR of ranked voting, it is only Hillary's fault she lost. Also that Bernie Sanders stat is nonsense, that was when they were only given the two options with no choice to stay home.

[merkywater]

9:13 So, wouldn't a more appropriate video title to that message have been "Hillary Clinton, Gary Johnson, Jill Stein & Donald Trump Are PLAYING YOU"?

It's true that the big issue is the First Past the Post system and the type of voter in breeds.

While I may disagree with part of this video's message, great work and keep the video's coming! I just stumbled across your videos earlier today but am finding myself catching up on some of your great works