That's what it must feel like to be a third-party candidate in a two-party country.
But between Donald Trump's abrupt takeover of the GOP and Bernie Sanders' climb from long-shot Democratic candidacy to head of a national progressive movement, 2016 has been a year for party outsiders. And Libertarians hope that could give them an opening.
So it is with an air of opportunity to break out of obscurity that Libertarians, members of the country's most prominent third party, have gathered for their national convention in Orlando, Florida, this weekend to officially pick a candidate to pitch to angry voters.
Many expect former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, the Libertarian presidential nominee in 2012, to leave Orlando Sunday evening once again his party's standard-bearer.
Since last week, Johnson has made the rounds touting his newly minted alliance with former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, who is seeking the party's vice presidential nomination. The two former governors, who both also happen to be ex-Republicans, are fielding a ticket of sorts, although the Libertarians elect their nominees separately and no formal ticket will exist at the convention until the party selects its presidential and vice presidential nominees.
But Johnson and Weld first have to navigate an openly hostile convention, characterized by its insular proceedings and unwelcome to moderates.
Weld will have to overcome meaningful differences between his demonstrated policy preferences, particularly past support for gun control measures, and his willingness to support Republican politicians. Just this year, the colorful former governor endorsed Ohio Gov. John Kasich for president.
His supposed transgressions from Libertarian orthodoxy have earned him outright disdain from many of the party's attendees. He received loud boos at his introduction to the party's vice presidential debate, where he stuck to reciting his conservative bona fides and applauded his opponents on stage.
"We are not Republican-light," Larry Sharpe, a vice-presidential candidate said in a takedown of the Johnson-Weld ticket mere inches away from the former Massachusetts governor.
Asked after the debate, Weld said he thought such attacks "were not an issue one way or another."
Despite his bruising reception, Johnson said he would strongly prefer not to continue his bid without Weld, arguing they were "arguably the two most Libertarian governors that ever served."
Weld doubled down on this kind of rhetoric at the convention, saying that should Trump win the presidency, "We will be the rogue nation. We will be the North Korea."
Johnson, meanwhile, has several serious challengers gunning for the top spot on the third-party ticket.
Among them is Austin Petersen, a young, hardcore party advocate with strong backing in Libertarian Internet circles. He recently announced the endorsement of Mary Matalin and Erick Erickson, vocal anti-Trump conservatives.
Petersen rolled through the convention, glad-handing delegates and circling back to his open-door suite, filled with meatballs and alcohol for supporters. He belted out insults for Trump, calling him "Cheetos-faced" and "fascist" as his supporters, who he called "freedom ninjas," hollered in support.
However, in a party that generally swings liberal on social issues, Petersen is unabashedly anti-abortion. He is also 35 years old.
Also expected to post significant support is notorious entrepreneur John McAfee, a man who has forged an international identity after becoming a pioneer in the field of cybersecurity. Last fall, McAfee launched a presidential bid under the banner of his newly formed political organization, the Cyber Party. As the fall continued, McAfee declared his intention to seek the nomination of the Libertarian Party.
Building off of his name, his intense personality and his sweeping command of Libertarian sweet spots, McAfee has made a serious bid for the top of the ticket.
Although McAfee has little history with the party and no experience governing, his controversies -- including going into hiding following the shooting death of a businessman near his island compound in Belize -- and his lack of political experience may actually make up for it. In an election cycle dominated by a brash billionaire and reality TV star, McAfee's libidinous, shadowy, drug-fueled history and cavalier demeanor occasionally might not hurt much in a party built on opposing government control.
The primary has become somewhat contentious and McAfee has repeatedly said that he will not support Johnson if the former New Mexico becomes the nominee.
Petersen said he would "pull it for Gary" if the former New Mexico governor won the nomination. Weld said he wasn't sure what he'd do if Johnson was not the nominee.
"I'm in this because of Gary Johnson," Weld said.
Of course, securing the nomination is only one step -- and an extremely easy one, relatively speaking -- on the path to a Libertarian presidency.
The eventual nominee, whoever it is, will have to compete in the general election, where the odds of victory for the Libertarian Party stand at roughly zero.
If that performance repeats itself in the 2016 general election, it will mark the 12th cycle in a row where no third party has earned a single vote in the Electoral College.
Compared to other years and other third parties, however, the Libertarians have plenty to feel good about. The Libertarian Party has navigated the multitude of onerous requirements for ballot access in all 50 states, a task unaccomplished by any other third party.
Put more simply, the Libertarian nominee will be the only name outside of the mainstream choices on the presidential ballot in all 50 states on November 8.
Johnson, echoing many other third-party candidates, regularly stresses the Libertarian Party's need to join the presidential debates. Inclusion in the presidential debates requires strong poll performance, which, of course, requires inclusion in the polls themselves.
From the "Never Trump" crowd to the nascent "Bernie or bust" movement, the eventual Libertarian nominee might have room to grow a base and shake up the already volatile presidential race.
See the article here:
Libertarian Party set to pick nominee at convention ...
- KISS Army horing the US Army [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2009]
- Post-Election: Liberal Columnist Peter Beinart says GOP now has a "libertarian thrust" [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2009]
- Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels goes Libertarian: Orders 10% Cut for State Agencies [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2009]
- Libertarian Group calls for Apology from Obama for his insulting and inappopriate Remarks after Ft. Hood [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2009]
- Now the responsibility of American Muslims is to expose the Radical Jihadists among us [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2009]
- Lt. Col. Ralph Peters on Hasan, calling it like it is [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2009]
- Rush County Residents Start Effort to Organize County [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Libertarian Party of Marion County Announces Second Annual Canned Food Drive [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Cato: Federal Education Results Prove the Framers Right [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Bell: If a picture is worth a thousand words, what's a word worth?... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Maguire: How I will Vote on Wishard This Tuesday [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Contrary to Popular Belief... There IS an Election TODAY [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- That Would be Perfect: Stop the RTA [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Press Release: Libertarian Party Reaction to Voters Defeating the RTD [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- An Easy Way To Email Your Senators on Obamacare and Responsible Energy Policy [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- The Bell Curve: Oh yeah, that's a lot better... Property Tax "solution" Destroying Indiana Small Business [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Libertarian City Councilman Mark Byrne, Port Huron, MI wins endorsement of Local Paper for Reelection [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- WASHINGTON STATE: Race for King County Executive one to watch [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Closeted Republican could be elected Atlanta's next Mayor [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Obama will own a Corzine loss [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Jason Shih, Photo of Corzine Staffer busted for Drugs [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Sarah Palin blasts Biden over Energy Hypocrisy [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Murder in Arizona: Father runs over Daughter in so-called "Honor Killing," she had become "too Westernized" [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Races to Watch for Libertarian Republicans 2009 [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- HUGE NEWS OUT OF TEXAS!! Scores of Democrat County Officials Switch to Republican [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Chris Christie Wins!!! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Dedicated to Governor-Elect Chris Christie and the Citizens of the Great State of New Jersey [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Republicans win 6 new Seats in Virginia House of Delegates [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Post-Election Party Switchers from Democrat to Republican: 8 so far in Texas [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Libertarian Party Election Results: 5 Victories, 1 Heartbreaking Loss, 1 Big 2nd place finish [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Rand Paul questioned on his Libertarian ties, Father's controversial Foreign Policy views [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Libertarian "RINO" wins County Council seat in Erie, Pennsylvania [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Republicans sweep Westchester County, New York on Anti-Tax message [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- GOP Congressional candidate Alan West says Fort Hood tragedy "proof" Jihadists infiltrating our Military [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE SWITCHES TO REPUBLICAN!!! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Minnesota DFL may have a Big Problem on its hands for 2010: Lynne Torgerson [Last Updated On: December 12th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2009]
- New Poll: 39% of Israelis believe Obama is a Muslim [Last Updated On: December 12th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2009]
- Since Obama elected "Worst Year" for Homegrown Islamic Terrorism [Last Updated On: December 12th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2009]
- A Pro-Islamist President? Obama's ties to the Muslim World exposed [Last Updated On: December 12th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2009]
- Libertarian Party of Marion County Holds Holiday Party to Benefit Second Helpings [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Tippecanoe County Libertarian Party Plans to Walk in Christmas Parade [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- NRA: Bloomington, Indiana Herald-Times Treats Law-Abiding Gun Owners like Registered Sex Offenders! [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Kole Hard Facts of Life: Great Post On Copenhagen Global Warming Issues [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- SchansBlog: ClimateGate extravaganza [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Scherschel: A Letter to the Editor of the Bloomington Herald Times [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Press Release: Libertarian Party of Johnson County Wants Voters To Decide on Jail Expansion [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- LPIN HQ Seeks Interns in 2010 [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Cato: More Federal Health Care Fraud [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Indiana Election Division Releases Important 2010 Election Guides [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Mahmoud Ahmadinejad preparing Holy War against the United States [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Pro-Liberty Students in Iran Protest Against the Government [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- It's Official! Tea Party Movement founded by Libertarian Republicans and that settles it! [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Good news for Republicans against Dodd; All three GOPers come out ahead [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Massachusetts GOP: We have a candidate [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Libertarian Republican bloggers discuss Climategate, Health Care and Hot Political Races [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Panel votes against Impeachment for Libertarian Republican Gov. Mark Sanford [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Reid Senate Plan includes Individual Mandates: $750 Fine for Non-Compliance [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- OHIO: More gains in latest poll for Fiscal Conservative John Kasich [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Yet another bigtime incumbent Dem calls it quits; Rep. Brian Baird (WA) faced increasingly tough Reelection [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- RCP running average for Obama Approvals drops to 48.9% [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Sarah Palin, Ron Paul ticket 2012? Sarah on Top [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Libertarians attacked by Leftists at Welcoming Event in Copenhagen [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Baucus mistress Melodee Hanes sleeping her way to the Top [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Not the First Time Baucus has had a Sex Scandal: Harrassment Allegations back in 1999 [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Baucus "Bimbo Eruption" gains Criticism back Home; Calls for his Resignation [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Senator DeMint officially endorses Michael Williams for US Senate - Texas [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- WISCONSIN: Terri McCormick for Congress [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Nancy Pelosi as Stalin: One California Korean-American says it fits [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Abolish Medicare says Glenn Beck [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Glenn Beck on Barbara Walters: Describe my politics? "Libertarian, Maximum Freedom" [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Obama is a Muslim entering Pop Culture [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Fed Bureaucrats get big raise in Compensation: Private Sector workers grow Poorer [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Obama Administration launches Massive Assault on Financial Privacy [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Tucker Carlson to launch new Journalist Website: Promises not to "suck up" to Obama [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Michele Bachman: Time to KILL SOCIALISM! [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- IDAHO: Democrat switches to Republican to run against libertarian-leaning Dem Rep. Walt Minnick [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Did the Missoulian cover up for the Max Baucus Affair? [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- And now some good old-fashioned Hardcore Right-wing Punk Rock from Wyoming [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Obama's approval ratings take another dip at RCP [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Adam Andrzejewski for Illinois Governor: Deserving of Conservative and Libertarian support [Last Updated On: December 15th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 15th, 2009]