I can't figure out whether to vote for Howie or Gloria, both are excellent candidates and it's nice to finally have a choice of who to vote for rather than only having whoever the Green party picks.
We can probably all agree that Gloria is a better candidate more aligned with our values overall, but remember that the election is about making compromises. Given the differences in ballot access between the two candidates and the amount of existing media coverage and liberal handwringing about the Greens, Howie is the practical harm-reduction choice.
Howie:
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Great socdem platform with hints of actual socialism (albeit reformist, of course)
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Party people have heard of. More people will notice a large Green vote than will notice a high percentage of votes for third parties overall
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That 5% vote thing (which won't happen)
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Party that's known for platforming cranks
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Party mostly known for its green views, not its socialist ones
La Riva:
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Great socdem platform with hints of actual socialism (albeit reformist, of course)
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Slightly better platform than Howie's
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Party has socialist in the name. Any time a news article mentions that socialists are getting a vote is a small win
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Nobody has heard of PSL
PSL is full socialism (ML). Their ultimate goal is building dual power for revolutionary (not reformist) change. The reason their presidential platform might not seem as radical as you'd expect (although I'd hardly classify "abolish the US military" as mainstream) is because they're smart enough to know that they're not going to be voted into office directly; they use electoralism as a strategy to radicalize liberals, and so their messaging is framed in a way that liberals can still understand.
Nobody has heard of PSL
This is a good reason to vote for them IMO. Alienated liberals need to see that an alternative is available, and more votes increases the visibility of that alternative (a small win as you say).
I actually almost included the ML thing in an earlier draft! Does PSL actually engage in non electoral strategy though? Or just lip service to the concept?
Yeah they do tons of community organizing (including a huge BLM rally in Philadelphia this year) and education of comrades.
Awesome! I'll admit I've been skeptical of PSL since I've never seen them here, but that could be regional. Or maybe they wrote off my region when they saw that our biggest ML-lineage org in my area is run by trots.
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I’m only voting green because it is more likely to hit the 5% threshold and libs hate to hear it
The idea of pulling an upset victory by playing the game by the rules in a post-Bernie society seems pretty cope to me.
