Bryan may have been labeled a “Populist,” with some supporters calling themselves part of the “People’s Party.” But he was nominated by the Democratic Party in 1896, 1900 and 1908. Theodore Roosevelt, of course, ran the most effective third-party candidacy ever, in 1912. Former Vice President Henry A. Wallace, considered too far to the left to remain on the Roosevelt ticket in 1944, ran as a Progressive in 1948. Eugene McCarthy ran as an independent in 1976, eight years after his challenge of Lyndon B. Johnson helped lead to Johnson’s withdrawal from the 1968 Presidential election. George Wallace ran as an independent candidate (American Independent Party) in 1968.
Copyright © 2000 by Richard Warren Field