I have an idea for all the third parties out there.
Create an Umbrella Party that has no platform. All Third parties will be invited to join; Libertarians, Green, Reform, Constitution, Socialist, Common, Communist, Workers, Black Panther, Independent, etc. All parties would be welcome except Republicans and Democrates.
The sole purpose would be to get a third candidate some serious media attention and a spot in the presidential debates. This will allow third parties to guide the topics of debate and quiet the voices of the special interest groups that run the Republican and Democratic Parties. Also, if the third party candidate got at least 5% of the vote, the Umbrella Party would qualify for federal campaign funding the next election.
How would it be done?
Third parties would not have primaries of their own. All the particpating third party candidates would run under the Umbrella Party ticket. The candidate that receives the most votes during a national on-line primary will be declaired the Umbrella Party's Nominee for President (or Governor if done at a state level). The second place candidate would be the VP nominee even if the Presidet nominee and VP are not of the same ideology.
The 3rd place through 18th places would be promised cabinet level positions. This would strengthen the Umbrella Party's chances of keeping voters that don't see their favorite candidate on the ballot and prevent a scism in the Umbrella Party.
The goal would be to see an Independent in the White House. Someone that would shake things up a bit and force lobbyists and special interest groups to sit this one out.
