Topic: Third Parties

The discussion reviews the performance of historical third-party candidates like Ross Perot, Ron Paul, and John Anderson. Kiriakou argues that the American public's hatred for the "Uniparty"—the idea that Democrats and Republicans are two sides of the same coin—could create a path for a trusted figure like Tucker Carlson, despite the personal risks involved.

Elon Musk announced the formation of the "America Party" on X, framing it as a challenge to a one-party system that he claims undermines democracy. Analysts suggest the party is strategically designed to peel away centrist Democrats frustrated with "woke" ideology rather than targeting the Republican base. The move follows Musk's public criticism of recent domestic policy bills as "debt slavery."

David Stockman analyzes a potential scenario where Democrats might pivot to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to prevent a Trump victory in a hung Electoral College. Kennedy is described as a "real constitutionalist" who understands the need to curtail government power and end "forever wars."

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hinted at a potential third-party presidential run during a Forbes podcast, citing the DNC's efforts to "rig" the primary process for Joe Biden. Kennedy stated he needs to show his donors a viable "road to victory" if the Democratic contest remains unfair. The hosts discuss the media's desire for a competitive election cycle to drive advertising revenue.

NPR correspondent Domenico Montanaro analyzes Donald Trump's continued dominance in the Republican primary despite multiple indictments. The segment highlights Democratic concerns regarding third-party candidates siphoning votes from Joe Biden. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is cited as a Republican who successfully rebuffed Trump's election claims while maintaining electoral success in a swing state.

Tulsi Gabbard’s appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience highlights the structural barriers preventing third-party candidates from winning the presidency. The discussion references changes made after Ross Perot's 1992 run and the role of the Commission on Presidential Debates in excluding independent voices. The hosts also joke about Joe Biden's recent verbal slip regarding "54 states."

Speculation arises that Donald Trump may form a third political entity called the MAGA Party if he feels betrayed by the GOP establishment. The hosts weigh the potential destructiveness of such a move and critique Trump's historical reliance on advisors who prioritize loyalty over strategy.

The viability and platforms of third-party candidates Jill Stein and Gary Johnson are examined. Stein is noted for her consistent messaging, while Johnson is criticized for his performance in recent town halls. The discussion rejects the label of "independent" for these candidates, noting they represent established political parties like the Green and Libertarian parties.

The media and Democratic Party react with "panic" to former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz's announcement that he is considering an independent run for president. A montage of news clips shows pundits claiming Schultz's candidacy would be a "gift to Donald Trump" and could "destroy democracy." The hosts compare the situation to Ross Perot's 1992 run and Ralph Nader's 2000 run, noting the intense pressure on Schultz to run as a Democrat instead.

Independent candidate Evan McMullin admits on a podcast that his strategy is not to win the presidency outright but to win enough electoral votes in states like Utah to block both major candidates. McMullin, a former CIA officer and Goldman Sachs employee, states his primary goal is to prevent Donald Trump from taking power. The hosts dismiss McMullin as an "asshole" working for the establishment.

Jill Stein appeared on C-SPAN warning that Hillary Clinton's Syria policy could lead to nuclear war with Russia. Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson released a campaign video using a chess metaphor for foreign policy, which the hosts criticize for its "atonal music." Adam Curry expresses frustration with Johnson's claim that the President's "number one job" is safety rather than upholding the Constitution.

President Barack Obama stated in a radio interview that voting for a third-party candidate like Jill Stein or Gary Johnson is functionally a vote for Donald Trump. This rhetoric has been criticized as dismissive of the constitutional right to vote for any qualified candidate regardless of their perceived chance of winning.

Nancy Pelosi appeared on CNN to warn millennials against voting for third-party candidates like Gary Johnson or Jill Stein. She characterized Donald Trump as a "fear monger" and expressed confidence that voters would reject him once they focused on the issues during the debates.

Neoconservative figure Bill Kristol is actively seeking a third-party candidate to challenge both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Names mentioned include Senator Ben Sasse, Tom Coburn, and Mitt Romney, though most have declined to run. Kristol's efforts are characterized as delusional, particularly his dismissal of the legal and logistical hurdles required to get a new candidate on state ballots.

Prominent Republicans including Jeb Bush and Lindsey Graham have announced they will not support Donald Trump despite previous pledges. Neoconservative commentator Bill Kristol is reportedly exploring third-party options, mentioning names like retired General Jim Mattis, Ben Sasse, and Mitt Romney. Meanwhile, Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson is discussed as a viable alternative for voters dissatisfied with the two-party system.

The hosts urge listeners to stop using "sketchy" alternative payment apps like Venmo or Popmoney, citing accounting difficulties and potential IRS issues. They express a preference for PayPal or traditional checks. Adam Curry mentions that Apple executives suggested using Apple Pay, but he remains skeptical of its utility for the show's donation model.

A fire on the 21st floor of Trump Tower in Manhattan is discussed as a potential "shot across the bow" against Donald Trump's presidential campaign. The hosts compare the situation to Ross Perot's sudden exit from the 1992 race following alleged threats against his family.

The President's Review Group recommends that the NSA stop storing bulk metadata and instead utilize real-time interfaces to access data held by third-party providers. Critics argue this shift to a distributed database model actually benefits the NSA by reducing their storage costs while maintaining full access to communications.

Legal precedents from the 1970s, including Miller v. United States, established that individuals have no reasonable expectation of privacy for information shared with third parties like banks or phone companies. While Justice Sonia Sotomayor recently challenged this regarding GPS tracking, the "third-party doctrine" remains the primary justification for bulk data collection.

Chris Matthews criticized voters who supported third-party candidates like Gary Johnson and Jill Stein, claiming they do not understand the American political system. Matthews faced backlash for referring to President Obama as having an "African guy" background and suggesting Hurricane Sandy was a positive political development.