For Americans- About Mrs. Clinton

Pretty much.

Whoever is in office will run again (provided they are still in their first term - two term limit). So, that means the only Republican that runs is Bushy. The Democrats are still in the process of deciding who will run for them. There are, hm, maybe 6 candidates right now and they travel the country druming up business. I believe in January/February, the Nominating Convention will nominate the presidential candidate for the Democratic party. The Nominating Convention consists of delegates from all states. Not only will they decide who will run for the party, but also what issues the candidate will represent (so, whatever promises were made earlier by the candidates - they might go out the window in favor for "party issues" )

Yes, there are other candidates for other parties, but there is no chance for them to win the election. The two primary parties will win, no chance of a little party to get in. They only take votes away from the two main candidates.

The system sucks, only rich and influential candidates will ever make it and you show me one ethical, intelligent, competent, rich and influential person. I cannot come up with one.

Why? Because they have less money for their campain? Or because they suck even more? Will you feel like you'll have to vote for democrats? (since I kinda understood you wouldn't go for Bush...) Or maybe not vote?
I may sound heavy, but it's hard to believe there isn't one "small" candidate out there good enough for you to consider it as a good opportunity to make the big ones loose votes.

For example in the last french presidential elections I voted for the ecologists (think they hit some 7%), first because I think ecology is getting a serious enough matter, second because I wanted to weaken big parties, third because I rathered them then extremists or not voting. I knew they'd never win, but if Jospin had won the election, he would have had them as strong allies.

Is this impossible for a US citizen to do?

Ponrauil

That's a worldwide problem I'm afraid, and it seems like it's getting worse.
But that's another reason to dig for the small parties where you might find people that are in there for their ideas and ideals and not their wallets or egos.

Ponrauil

People here do that, but it's not usually enough to make any difference. Independents usually get about 2-3% of the vote. Most people think of either the democrats or republicans even though others are running. Those are the 2 political parties in Congress.


That is part of our problem right now.

Really? He did have good speech writers.

So effectively, by voting for an independent candidate, I would be taking votes away from the other candidate and thus, increase Bush's share. As last election showed, every vote counts.

Just to clarify this, I do not vote in the US. I am not a citizen, so you can say it doesn't even matter what I think. Though, just because I cannot vote, doesn't mean I don't have an opinion that is shared by many, many citizens.

If I did vote, though, I probably would vote for the Democratic party. In this case, just anything but Bush. Generally speaking I would vote for who I feel would make the best president. Right now, my favorite is Wesley Clark who is now running as a Democrat, though, up until a few months ago was undecided and also independent. So, if he would run for the Republicans, I would still vote for him. It is him who I would trust, regardless of the party.

I am working on getting my citizenship in time for election, but am not very hopeful. I have the German citizenship and wil NEVER give that one up. Germany only allows one to have a dual citizenship under certain circumstances and it is pretty much up to the government to grant it, decided case by case.