“Iowa has a proud tradition, going back over a century, of the contribution of its third parties to politics and government [—not only in this state, but their contribution to the nation.]

In recent years those parties have included the Libertarian Party, as well as the Green Party, and others.

And yet Iowa remains more reactionary and intransigent to change than most nations on earth, and certainly any state in the United States, when it comes to making it possible for those third parties to exist.

Other nations and states make it easier for voters to register to vote as a third party member. They have instant runoff voting — something San Francisco just adopted earlier this year. They have fusion voting, which permits third parties to retain their party status by supporting the candidates of other parties.

[It was fusion voting that permitted Reagan to carry New York, even though Jimmy Carter had more votes. The Conservative Party had also nominated Reagan, and with their votes he won.]

Why, given this experience elsewhere, supported by the two major parties, do you think the Democratic and Republican Parties in Iowa are so incredibly backward in their resistance to such democratic innovations? Is it merely ignorance, [or venality,] or irrational fear?

Steve Sukup: We have had a strong two-party system in Iowa, but I know on the ticket this year for governor the Libertarians do have a candidate. I believe it’s -- I met with him the other day in Cedar Rapids, so I know there will be a third choice on the ballot. I believe it’s Clyde. And I can’t remember the --

Al Kern: Clyde Cleveland is the Libertarian.

Steve Sukup: Clyde Cleveland. Yeah. And so there will be some choices out there. So I believe, you know, you’ll have some options on the ballot in November and, um, that’s uh -- I’m not sure on some of the specifics he mentioned there about keeping individuals off the ballot.

Like I say, I know you’ll have different choices in the general election.

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