Party on outside

1

Usually I don't answer top level questions here as a communist, but I think it might make sense to here.

I respect Dr. West immensely and have a lot in common with his politics. But I can't wrap my head around how this candidacy is a viable political strategy.

The only thing that makes sense to me is that West, like Ralph Nader, is consciously trying to pressure the Democratic Party to move to the left. This was Nader's conscious motivation when he ran third party.

And I don't mind that tactic, but imho it would seem much more effective to work on winning elections with a third party locally, like what Kshama Sawant is doing with Socialist Alternative and Workers Strike Back. The whole point of being a leftist is the recognition that collective struggle is the way we win and build power.

I'm really hoping this candidacy is coming from that mindset, because it doesn't look like it from here.

The only thing that makes sense to me is that West, like Ralph Nader, is consciously trying to pressure the Democratic Party to move to the left. This was Nader's conscious motivation when he ran third party.

2

I'd buy this motivation (though I'd still think it was pretty boneheaded) if he joined the green party instead. As it stands I'm doubtful he'll even make it on the ballot in any states beyond populous super blue ones (and even those are a strong maybe) so I don't know how he intends to push the party in any direction.

3

I only vote for Democrats (or candidates with the unofficial support of the Democratic Party, if no Democrat is running or if the race is technically nonpartisan).

4

on third parties

I don't think I'll vote for him, but I'm interested in what he has to say and how he may steer what candidates talk about.

5

For the foreseeable future, I will vote for the Democratic nominee. Since Dr. Cornel West is not running for the Democratic nomination, I won't be voting for him. Even so, I admire him and agree with him on many issues.

6

Maybe.

I want to hear more from him, but probably not. But maybe.

7

Probably not.

Not a fan of him going with People’s party.

Means he does not actually want a fight or a large stage to advocate for issues.

People’s party has very low ballot access and is the most incompetent of the third parties.

Running in the Green Party would have put him on a larger stage and in an actual position to get some media attention (especially in the wake of Stein and Nader from previous elections).

8

If he “Naders” Biden, America is doomed. The Two-Party system is shit, but it’s what we have. We must use it to our advantage, not to our doom. Currently third parties are only disruptive. Legislation and the courts are the only sane way to change the system, not insurgency. The current two-party system is a study in black and white. If Cornel West is the enemy of my friend, he must be the friend of my enemy.

9

Possibly. Only coz I live in CA tho. If I was in any of the swing states I’d vote for Biden. I’m ultimately rooting for him to win but don’t see any harm in throwing West and Williamson a vote in the general and primary respectively

10

It would be nice to have a candidate that can see the world through the lens of the poor and working class as he claims. Running on a third party is useless though.

Im just so fucking sick of the centrist liberal status quo, its disheartening

11

Some people run for president to actually try to be president. Others run to have a larger platform for their narratives and issues and to force the other candidates to address those issues.

West strikes me as very much the second kind of candidate. He's going to make a lot of speeches and make lots of TV appearances but it's not going to get enough traction to put him in a position to win.

If he makes it past when the primary votes are cast, he might be able to get some promises from Biden about things for his second term, but I'd be very surprised if he gets any further than that

12

No, if I vote third party it will be for an actual political party. If I decide I'm not voting for the dem nominee I will vote for the candidate from either the Green party or the PSL.