The Heat: Third party candidates in US elections

The Heat

Why have third party candidates failed to make a major breakthrough? When Americans vote to elect their next president in November 2016, the most likely winner will be either a Democrat or a Republican. That’s the way it’s been in the United States since the mid 1800’s.

But in a country that prides itself on its democratic system, why is it that just two parties have dominated politics in the U.S. for so long?

CCTV America’s John Gilmore reports.

The Heat spoke to Jesse Ventura, one of the few politicians to take on America’s two major parties and win. He was elected governor of Minnesota in 1998 when he was a member of the Reform Party. He is now a TV personality and author. His latest book is “American Conspiracies.”

The discussion continued:

  • Carla Howell is the political director for the U.S. Libertarian Party and is a former candidate for the U.S. Senate.
  • John Andrews is the co-chair of the U.S. Green Party in Massachusetts.
  • Political commentator and journalist Bob Franken.