Ross Perot's third-party efforts in 1992 and 1996 were the last independent or third-party presidential campaigns in American politics which met with even spoiler-level success. Before that, it was Theodore Roosevelt at the beginning of the twentieth century. So we're not due for another such impact for about sixty or seventy years or so, barring major electoral realignments or new movements which seem still beyond the horizon.

Nevertheless, there is hardly ever a lack of those willing to try. In 2008, it is extremely unlikely that any independent or third-party effort will challenge the primacy of the two parties, though it now appears some vote-siphoning from the GOP may take place with Libertarian Party candidate Fmr. Rep. Bob Barr (GA). Still, the next president is overwhelmingly likely to be the Democratic or Republican presidential nominee. Thus far, Sen. Chuck Hagel (NE) and New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg (NY) have dismissed their own '08 ambitions, along with all of the major and minor Democratic and Republican presidential candidates who will not be nominated by their parties, including Reps. Dennis Kucinich (OH) and Ron Paul, M.D. (TX), and now Fmr. Sen. Mike Gravel (AK / VA), defeated by Barr for the Libertarian nod.

The Libertarians have gone with Barr, the Constitution Party has nominated radio talk-show host Pastor Chuck Baldwin (FL), The Greens have chosen Fmr. Rep. Cynthia McKinney (GA) and consumer advocate Ralph Nader (CT) is running as an independent.

The Libertarian Party has confirmed ballot access in 43 states for the '08 presidential election so far. Their national convention was held in Denver, Colorado, from May 22-26, 2008, where they nominated Fmr. Rep. Bob Barr of Georgia as their candidate for president, and Vegas high-roller and motivational speaker Wayne Allyn Root as their vice presidential candidate. The Libertarian ticket is likely to be the most prominent alternative campaign in '08.

Nader's Independent campaign has confirmed ballot access in 40 states and the District of Columbia for the '08 presidential election so far. He nominated himself for president after a long seductive stare into the mirror, and is pioneering the use of openly racist rhetoric in the 2008 campaign.

The Constitution Party has confirmed ballot access in 32 states for the '08 presidential election so far. Their national convention was held in Kansas City, Missouri, from April 23-26, 2008, where they nominated radio talk-show host Pastor Chuck Baldwin of Florida, their 2004 vice presidential nominee, as their candidate for president, and attorney Darrell Castle of Tennessee as their vice presidential candidate.

The Green Party has confirmed ballot access in 30 states and the District of Columbia for the '08 presidential election so far. Their national convention was held in Chicago July 10-13. They nominated Fmr. Rep. Cynthia McKinney (GA) for president and activist Rosa Clemente for vice president.