I love Jill Stein, and I love how progressive she is, but she will never win a presidential election while a member of the Green Party. But she “threw in the towel” with the Democratic Party when she could least afford to do so.
This article is mainly aimed at Bernie supporters. I’m a Bernie lover, but as time wears on, and as the probability of Bernie winning the Democratic nomination wanes, we have to start seriously considering what we are going to do come November.
There are plenty of Democrats who do not like Hillary (I’m not overly fond of her myself). However, voting for Jill Stein in November’s election is not a viable alternative, just like writing in Bernie would not be a viable option. This is because there would not be nearly enough support for either of these candidates to win a general election.
Why isn’t Bernie running an independent campaign? Why has Bernie said that he will support Hillary if she gets the nod? It’s because he understands the system- and he understands that a strong third party challenger could split the progressive vote and put the Republican candidate in the White House. Even Bernie understands that if you want to sit in the big chair, you have to play by the rule to get there. Remember, Jill Stein “threw in the towel” a long time ago with Democrats. (I find it interesting that many fellow Bernie supporters say they won't support Hillary even though Bernie will).
Jill Stein supporters will give a variety of reasons why they are voting for her this November.
1. She represents their views better.
Well, that’s great! She actually represents my views almost perfectly as well, but voting for her is throwing your vote away because a third party candidate cannot win under the current electoral system.
2. “I’m doing it out of protest!”
But at what expense- a Trump/Cruz presidency? I don’t think that’s worth the protest. Use the election to at least put the lesser of two evils in power, and then campaign hard for electoral reform. If you don’t like the rules, play by them, work your way to the top, and then change them- don’t throw in the towel!
3. "I don’t like any of the candidates!"
I’m pretty much in the same boat with you there. Besides Bernie, I’m not crazy about any of the other candidates, not even Hillary. But, I would still rather have at least four years of Hillary than of Trump or Cruz.
Look, I understand your frustration. My fellow progressives would say that after eight years of the Obama administration, now is the time for a much more liberal President like Sanders or Stein, and I agree! But apparently, not enough of our fellow voters on the left agree with us. When it comes down to it, I suppose if you honestly can’t in good faith vote for Hillary as a lefty this November (assuming she gets the nod), then go ahead and vote for Jill Stein. But just recognize that she’s not going to win the election, and also realize that not voting for Hillary risks putting whatever kook the Republicans can muster up into office. If that’s worth it, then vote for Jill Stein.
