OK, while we're on the subject of the two-party system, there's a question that I've asked several times of various people, and never managed to get a straight answer for:
What does it mean, exactly, to say that the US has a two party system? Why does "everyone know" that a third party can't win an election? Is there anything actually stopping them from doing so, other than that "everyone knows" not to waste their vote on third parties?
OK, that was more than one question. But I've never really understood how you can have thirteen different parties nominating candidates for the presidency in a two-party system...
Edit: I miscounted, and perhaps misunderstood the electoral rules. Only six parties are on enough ballots to get 270 electoral votes, and take the presidency directly. However, if I'm understanding this correctly, it's not a plurality of votes that's required, but an absolute majority (that is, if one party gets 269 votes, another gets 200 and a third gets 69, then we don't know who will be the new president), so if no party gets 270 votes or more, then the House of Representatives gets to choose a president. And I get the impression they can choose from any of the 13 people who've put their name forward in any state? Of maybe anyone they damn well please?
Does that sound more right?
« Last Edit: October 23, 2008, 05:25:20 PM by wintermute »
Science means that not all dreams can come true