The 2008 Presidential Campaign: All About the Independent and Third Party Candidates

The 2008 Presidential campaign has dominated the news over the last several weeks. Daily we have been inundated with updates and commentaries about Presidential hopefuls like Clinton, Giulani, Romney, Obama, Edwards, Huckabee and McCain. Through televised debates and umpteen news stories, we've heard their platforms and visions for America over and over again.

Of course this is just the Primaries and no one is yet really vying for the actual Presidency, so we can be sure that this is just the beginning of this media frenzy. In the midst of all of the hype, an "independent" can't help but become frustrated with all of the emphasis upon partisanship and the two dominant parties. What about the independent and the third party candidates considering throwing their name in the race for President? The Constitutional, Libertarian and Green Parties, along with other minority parties, are also in the process of choosing their candidates for President/Vice President of the United States.

Independents like myself need to begin to follow all of the candidates now to ensure that we make a well educated decision. There are a wide variety of candidates from every race, creed, gender, profession and with very different views and outlooks on the future of this country. Here is a list of a few:

Wayne Allyn Root of Nevada is truly a "non-traditional" candidate. His run for the Presidency might be equated with that of Ross Perot. He is somewhat eccentric and is vying for the candidacy through the Libertarian Party. Root is a businessmen/television producer and author, and is said to be a self-made millionaire. In line with the philosophy of the Libertarian Party, Root believes in fewer taxes, less government and giving more management/control to local governing bodies in place of federal government. Unique in his position concerning the war in Iraq, Root would like to call for a vote in Iraq allowing the Iraqi people to decide whether they want American troops to remain in Iraq or leave.

Donald K. Allen of Ohio is a Veterinarian and Military Officer. Running as an Independent, Allen believes he is the voice of the people. Like Senator Obama, he speaks often of change, but unlike Obama, Allen has no political experience. He is committed to a government that listens to and is concerned more about the welfare of it's people than allegiances to parties and/or big business. Some of Allen's proposed policies include fencing/better patrol of our borders, doing away with the income tax and the Internal Revenue Service and making this country independent when it comes to foreign oil/energy sources. On the issue of the war in Iraq, Allen supports the U.S. troops being there and believes that it is in our best interest to keep them there for several more years.

Cynthia McKinney, the former Georgia Congresswoman and Democrat is now vying to be the Presidential candidate for the Green Party. Sometimes compared to the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, McKinney is said to be a champion for civil rights and causes related to the working class and the poor. Some of these issues include universal health care, jobs and education. McKinney is also known for her attempt to impeach President Bush, Vice President Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice as a result of the war in Iraq.

Don J. Grundmann, a Chiropractor in California is hoping to run for President under the Constitutional Party. As a strong advocate of financial reform in this country, Grundmann proposes an end to both the Federal Reserve and Internal Revenue Systems. He also strongly opposes abortion and same sex marriage, and advocates for more controlled/stringent immigration policies. Regarding his position on the war in Iraq, Grundmann supports a slow withdrawal and return of our troops.

Many potential candidates have not officially announced their candidacy. Among them are Ralph Nader, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn.