Facts Information and reviews

If one uses registration data, then the Democratic Party has always been larger than the Republican Party, ever since 1936, because at no time since 1936 have there been fewer registered Democrats than Republicans. But obviously the Republican Party has been dominant over the Democratic Party during the years 1994-2006, and arguably 1980-1992.

If one uses ballot status, then the Libertarian Party has been the third largest party ever since 1978.

If one uses votes cast for congressional candidates, then the Libertarian Party has been the third largest party since 1976.

If one uses number of members who hold elective public office, then again it’s the Libertarian Party since 1978. But if it’s the number of members who hold important public office, one could make a case for the Green Party, since its office-holders tend to be in larger population jurisdictions. But if it’s state legislators, it’s the Libertarians, since there are 12 instances at which a Libertarian was elected to a state legislature, compared to only 3 instances for a Green, and one for the Constitution Party.

If it’s presidential vote totals, then it was the Libertarians 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, and it was the Reform Party in 1996, and it was the Green Party in 2000, and it was back to the Libertarians in 2004.

In balance, I agree with Bill Redpath.

Bill Redpath makes the LP look as reasonable as CATO. Too bad he is an outlier within the party he leads.

Liberal on social issues, conservative on economic issues…if only.