Desert Sage has argued previously that Libertarian candidate Gary
Johnson and the Green Party’s presumptive nominee, Jill Stein, should be
permitted by the Commission on Presidential Debates to share the debate
stage with Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Johnson and Stein have
both qualified for ballots in enough states to establish a numerical
path to the electoral vote necessary to win the presidency. By
definition, it is false to say that Johnson or Stein have no chance of
winning, although the odds are obviously against them. Stein, in
particular, would have to run the table in nearly every state where she
is on the ballot. Nonetheless, their campaigns have demonstrated a level
of organization and public support more substantial than matchup
polling.
Opening up the political process to parties competing
with the traditional duopoly will enhance our politics even if other
parties do not win elections right away. Recognizing more ideas and
critiques in political discourse expands what is possible in politics,
and our stodgy traditional parties might be compelled to improve if they
had to compete with parties that made credible appeals to the working
class. Indeed, it is hard to imagine Trump’s populism being so effective
if American workers had not been betrayed.
-- ALgernon D'Ammassa, "Greens, Libertarians need to be ready for media glare" (LAS CRUCES SUN-NEWS).