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U.S. Ponders Third Party Candidate in 2008
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Some adults in the United States would consider voting for an outsider in the next presidential election, according to two polls by Rasmussen Reports. 30 per cent of respondents would support a third party candidate who promised to build a barrier along the Mexican border and make enforcement of immigration law his top priority.
In a separate sample, 28 per cent of respondents said they would vote for a third party contender who promised universal health care.
In American elections, candidates require 270 votes in the U.S. Electoral College to win the White House. In November 2004, Republican incumbent George W. Bush earned a second term after securing 286 electoral votes from 31 states. Democratic nominee John Kerry received 252 electoral votes from 19 states and the District of Columbia. As far as the popular vote is concerned, Bush garnered 51.03 per cent of all cast ballots, with Kerry getting 48.04 per cent.
In 1992, Ross Perot received 18.9 per cent of the popular vote as a third party candidate, but won no electoral votes. In 1996, Perot garnered 8.48 per cent of all cast ballots as the Reform Party nominee.
Bush is ineligible for a third term in office. The next presidential election is scheduled for November 2008.
Polling Data
How would you vote in the 2008 presidential election if a third party candidate ran and promised to build a barrier along the Mexican border and make enforcement of immigration law his top priority?
Democratic nominee | 31% |
Third party candidate | 30% |
Republican nominee | 21% |
How would you vote in the 2008 presidential election if a third party candidate ran and promised universal health care?
Republican nominee | 28% |
Third party candidate | 28% |
Democratic nominee | 24% |
Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: First Question - Telephone interviews with 1,000 American adults, conducted on Apr. 25 and Apr. 26, 2006. Second Question - Telephone interviews with 1,000 American adults, conducted on May 3 and May 4, 2006. Margin of error is 4 per cent.
