Party affiliation is a matter of convenience

Or: Why Barack Obama isn't a Socialist

One reason that many conservatives don't register as Libertarians, or join the Constitution Party or the American Conservative Party is a matter of having an effective voice in the political landscape, although some Republican standard-bearers haven't been particularly articulate about the conservative message lately. It's unfortunate that Newt Gingrich is so misunderstood and disliked by a great many apolitical Americans (and hated by Democrats), as he's a brilliant messenger of conservative principles and the ideals that made America the greatest country in the world. (Which is why he's demonizd by Democrats.)

Most conservatives might feel very welcome in the aforementioned parties, but they wouldn't accomplish much, just like any 3rd Party in America currently. They'd be simply too insignificant, numerically. And that's as it should be. Third parties in American politics are only spoilers to the serious and practical participants in the legitimate competitions to determine how we govern ourselves. They only succeed when there's an extraordinary ingredient in an election like celebrity (Exhibit A: Jesse Ventura) or wealthy self-financing. (Exhibit B: Ross Perot. Oh wait- that's right, Perot didn't win; he only spoiled it for Bob Dole, a fine man and devoted servant of his country, but a lackluster and weak messenger for conservatism.)


***(I'm not sure when I wrote this. I carelessly saved a spacing-edit before noting the   original date. No matter, it's timeless.)