Conservative Alternatives to the GOP
Because of the influences that some believe have conspired to dislodge the Republican Party's platform, the emergence -- and in some cases, the revival -- of conservative third parties has become vital to providing modern conservatives an alternative to the GOP. As with all good things in life, America's conservative movement is a complex tapestry of liberty and reserve, advancement and tradition, and adherence to morality in the face of an increasingly corrupt society. This list of conservative third parties is a reflection of the spectrum of beliefs that comprise today's conservative movement.
Conservative Alternatives to the Republican Party
Not all conservatives are Republicans by definition, and even those who are may not want to be involved with an organization that has lost considerable credibility over the last eight years. This list of conservative alternatives to the Republican party represents a cross-section of conservative beliefs espoused by America's top conservative third-parties.
Not all conservatives are Republicans by definition, and even those who are may not want to be involved with an organization that has lost considerable credibility over the last eight years. This list of conservative alternatives to the Republican party represents a cross-section of conservative beliefs espoused by America's top conservative third-parties.
America First Party
The original America First Party was founded in 1944, but changed its name to the Christian Nationalist Crusade in 1947. In 2002, a new America First Party was formed by Pat Buchanan’s supporters, who expressed disgust over the way he was treated by the leadership of the declining Reform Party. While not overt, there are several references to faith and religion in the ideology of the America First Party.
The original America First Party was founded in 1944, but changed its name to the Christian Nationalist Crusade in 1947. In 2002, a new America First Party was formed by Pat Buchanan’s supporters, who expressed disgust over the way he was treated by the leadership of the declining Reform Party. While not overt, there are several references to faith and religion in the ideology of the America First Party.
American Independent Party
The AIP was established in 1968 by former Alabama Gov. George Wallace, who captured nearly 10 million votes during his presidential bid. The influence of the AIP has waned over the years, but its strong Christian conservative leanings enables it to still field local candidates. Its principles and its platform have Christianity as its foundation.
The AIP was established in 1968 by former Alabama Gov. George Wallace, who captured nearly 10 million votes during his presidential bid. The influence of the AIP has waned over the years, but its strong Christian conservative leanings enables it to still field local candidates. Its principles and its platform have Christianity as its foundation.
American Party
Formed after a break with the American Independent Party in 1972, the party’s best showing was a sixth place finish in the 1976 presidential election with 161,000 votes. The party has been virtually inconsequential since then.
Formed after a break with the American Independent Party in 1972, the party’s best showing was a sixth place finish in the 1976 presidential election with 161,000 votes. The party has been virtually inconsequential since then.
American Reform Party
The ARP split from the reform party in 1997, after some of the new party’s founders walked out of the Reform Party’s nomination convention, suspecting that Ross Perot had rigged the process. Although the ARP has a national platform, it does not have ballot access in any state and has failed to organize beyond the state level.
The ARP split from the reform party in 1997, after some of the new party’s founders walked out of the Reform Party’s nomination convention, suspecting that Ross Perot had rigged the process. Although the ARP has a national platform, it does not have ballot access in any state and has failed to organize beyond the state level.
Constitution Party
At its nominating convention n 1999, the US Taxpayers Party chose to change its name to the “Constitution Party.” Convention delegates believed the new name more closely reflected the party’s approach to enforcing the US Constitution’s provisions and limitations.
At its nominating convention n 1999, the US Taxpayers Party chose to change its name to the “Constitution Party.” Convention delegates believed the new name more closely reflected the party’s approach to enforcing the US Constitution’s provisions and limitations.
Independent American Party
Founded in 1998, the IAP is a Protestant Christian theocratic political party. It initially existed in several Western states and is a remnant of former Alabama Gov. George Wallace's once-powerful American Independent Party.
Founded in 1998, the IAP is a Protestant Christian theocratic political party. It initially existed in several Western states and is a remnant of former Alabama Gov. George Wallace's once-powerful American Independent Party.
Jefferson Republican Party
Although the JRP doesn’t have an official platform, it is descended from the original Democratic-Republican party founded by James Madison in 1792 and later joined by Thomas Jefferson. The party eventually was disbanded into two factions in 1824. In 2006, the JRP was founded (party members would say “revived”), and it uses statements made by Jefferson in 1799 as the foundation of its principles.
Although the JRP doesn’t have an official platform, it is descended from the original Democratic-Republican party founded by James Madison in 1792 and later joined by Thomas Jefferson. The party eventually was disbanded into two factions in 1824. In 2006, the JRP was founded (party members would say “revived”), and it uses statements made by Jefferson in 1799 as the foundation of its principles.
Libertarian Party
The Libertarian Party is by far the largest conservative Third Party in America and has been except for momentary periods in the 1990s when Ross Perot and Patrick Buchanan ran as independents. Libertarians believe in the American heritage of liberty, enterprise, and personal responsibility.
The Libertarian Party is by far the largest conservative Third Party in America and has been except for momentary periods in the 1990s when Ross Perot and Patrick Buchanan ran as independents. Libertarians believe in the American heritage of liberty, enterprise, and personal responsibility.
Reform Party
The Reform Party was founded by Ross Perot during his run for President in 1992. Despite Perot’s excellent showing in the 1992 election, the Reform Party waned until 1998, when Jesse Ventura secured the nomination for Governor of Minnesota and won. It was the highest office ever attained by a third party in the since the beginning of the twentieth century.
The Reform Party was founded by Ross Perot during his run for President in 1992. Despite Perot’s excellent showing in the 1992 election, the Reform Party waned until 1998, when Jesse Ventura secured the nomination for Governor of Minnesota and won. It was the highest office ever attained by a third party in the since the beginning of the twentieth century.
Prohibition Party
The Prohibition Party was founded in 1869 and bills itself as "America's Oldest Third Party." It's platform is based on an ultra-conservative Christian social agenda mixed with anti-drug, anti-alcohol and anti-communist positions.
The Prohibition Party was founded in 1869 and bills itself as "America's Oldest Third Party." It's platform is based on an ultra-conservative Christian social agenda mixed with anti-drug, anti-alcohol and anti-communist positions.