Why can only two candidates have a real shot at the us presidency? ?

Question

I'm going to vote this year. but i just realized that if i don't vote for obama or mccain, my vote does not count. are there really only two people and two ways to run this nation? seems very limited and undemocratic to me :( who made up this ridiculous system?

Answer 1

It is because both the Democratic and Republican parties have made the rules so to speak.  They have made it so difficult for the third party candidate to be listed on every single State Ballots.  I believe something should be done since I no longer believe in either of these parties for the good of this Nation and its' people.

Answer 2

and do u really think these two parties aren't controlling this

Answer 3

I have to agree with Bill in Kansas. I'm Turkish, we see so many parties during election and votes split. Usually the worst party, people like McCain take advantage of that.

Answer 4

there are multiple party's out there which you know but no third party candidate has even came close since Teddy roosevelt when he ran under the bull moose party. Its actually the thinking like yours which makes this a two party system if more people would vote for the other party's then after a few years maybe we could get something going even then though it would be tough it takes a lot of money to run a campaign and if you don't get the contributions you go unknown to the public and who is going to give money to a lost cause such as a third party candidate. The two party system we have now is what is ruining this country we don't really have a choice except who the powers that be decide who to run.

Answer 5

We live in a two party system.  Voting outside those 2 is silly.  A third candidate only splits the votes and screws up the election.

want proof: Ross Perot

Answer 6

Because no third party candidate has ever taken it seriously enough to start campaigning at the same time as the other 2 thus get as much face time.

or give people the chance to get to know em.

Unfortunately th emajority of americans are too lazy to go outside of the usual media channels to learn about their candidates. this also applys to mccain and obama.

their whole purpose of a third party showing this late in the game is to siphone votes. and give americans an excuse to say i voted none of the above. Period

Answer 7

The Framers of our Constitution did this. They designed the system to avoid fractionism. National parties are developed to coordinated the various interests. If a third party develops, one of the other two parties will steal their ideas or one of them dies.  

Answer 8

We started out with around 20 and whittled them down in the primaries. We usually end up with what people have decided are the two strongest candidates. Unfortunately this year the dems lurched way to the left and did not pick Hillary or Biden as their nominee. I don't see any other choice except McCain

Answer 9

you had your choice to vote for others in the prelims during the race for the candidacy..its the process of elimination...now we ae down to 2..been like this for years and years..and OUR forefathers drew up this ridiculous system as you call it..you also got the option to put your ''write in'' vote..so if you dont like the system..complain to your congressman..