|
While
George W. Bush and Al Gore wrangled over Electoral College votes
in the closest election in recent history, third party candidate
Patrick Buchanan was just hoping to capture at least five percent
of the popular vote.
Final election results show that he will walk away with less than
one percent.
Buchanan’s performance was crucial for the future of the Reform
Party. If he secured five percent of the vote, the party would have
received matching federal campaign funds for the 2004 presidential
election. Instead, they’re back at square one.
Going into today’s race, the Buchanan camp wasn’t worried.
"We’re very confident that we’ll get five percent
of the vote," said Brian Doherty, press director for the Buchanan
campaign. "Polls are always underrepresented, especially for
the conservative vote."
But still, many are left wondering if this election is the swan
song for Buchanan and the Reform Party. Buchanan’s showing
has been the worst since Texas billionaire Ross Perot founded the
party in 1992. Perot won 20 percent of the vote in 1992 and nine
percent in 1996.
"If they fail to get 5 percent, they’ll be way behind
the eight ball," said Bruce Cain, director of the Institute
for Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley, prior to tonights election.
"Whether they are permanently behind the eight ball is hard
to say."
Cain said the Reform Party’s dismal performance is largely
due to its internal ideological split and the lack of a charismatic
leader.
"They’re completely divided, and Perot doesn’t show
any interest in reviving the party," he said.
The split became obvious in August, when a faction of the party
broke away to support John Hagelin as the presidential candidate
instead of Buchanan. Buchanan’s opponents were worried that
he would commit the party social-conservative issues such as right
to life and anti-gun control.
Cain also says that the Republicans and Democrats have stymied the
Reform Party by hijacking the mainstays of its agenda.
"The Democrats stole the agenda on reducing the deficit and
McCain stole the agenda on campaign reform," Cain said.
But Doherty says that this election is a step forward for the party
despite the fact they didn’t get five percent of the vote.
"We’ll just have to go back to grassroots," he said.
"If Buchanan’s issues don’t resonate in this election,
they will resonate in the future."
But no matter what happens, Doherty said Buchanan has no plans to
leave the party any time soon.
"He’s committed to the Reform Party," he said, adding
that Buchanan may co-chair the party with Jerry Mann after the election.
Regardless, Cain said the future of third parties hinges on how
well the next president will be able to avoid the perennial problems
that frustrate voters, such as bipartisan bickering and congressional
gridlock.
"The number of disgruntled voters is a factor of how well the
system is performing."
|
