In an effort to avoid a repeat of narrow swing-state losses that helped Donald Trump win the White House in 2016, Democrats are targeting Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein. Democratic National Committee chairman Jaime Harrison announced the release of the group’s first-ever ad focused on third-party candidates, specifically aimed at Stein. The ad highlights Stein’s role in Trump’s 2016 wins in battleground states and emphasizes that voting for Stein ultimately benefits Trump. Stein’s campaign has focused on issues such as U.S. support for Israel and opposition to the war in Gaza, but she faced criticism for not calling Russian President Putin a war criminal despite meeting many criteria for genocide in international law.
Stein’s impact as a third-party candidate is being closely watched, particularly in swing states where polls show tight races between Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden. With Stein polling at only 1% nationally, her margins in key states could be crucial in determining the outcome of the election. The DNC’s ad targeting Stein will air on television in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, as well as on cable across the country. The ad aims to educate voters on the potential impact of voting for Stein and how it could ultimately benefit Trump, portraying Stein morphing into Trump as a symbolic representation of this dynamic.
This is not the first time a Green Party presidential candidate has faced accusations of playing spoiler in a presidential election. In 2016, Stein was blamed for taking crucial votes away from Hillary Clinton and contributing to Trump’s victory. In 2000, Ralph Nader’s candidacy was also seen as a factor in Al Gore’s loss to George W. Bush, with Nader receiving 97,488 votes in the disputed Florida vote that ultimately determined the election outcome. The history of third-party candidates influencing election results has heightened concerns among Democrats about potential impacts on the 2020 election.
The ad targeting Jill Stein reflects the strategic shift among Democrats to preemptively address any potential threats to Biden’s chances of winning the presidency. By focusing on Stein’s role in past elections and her potential impact this year, the DNC is aiming to educate voters about the consequences of supporting third-party candidates in a close race. The ad emphasizes the idea that a vote for Stein is effectively a vote for Trump, highlighting the need for unity among Democratic voters to defeat the incumbent president.
The controversy surrounding Jill Stein’s candidacy underscores the complexities of third-party involvement in the political process, particularly in a highly polarized and competitive election. Stein’s stances on various issues, including her criticism of U.S. support for Israel and reluctance to denounce Russian President Putin as a war criminal, have drawn scrutiny and raised questions about her motivations and goals as a candidate. The ad released by the DNC serves as a reminder of the potential impact of third-party candidates on the outcome of the election and seeks to encourage strategic voting among Democrats to prevent another scenario where a third-party candidate influences the final result.
As the 2020 election approaches and tensions mount, the focus on Jill Stein and her potential impact on the outcome of the presidential race underscores the high stakes involved. With swing states playing a critical role in determining the overall result, the DNC’s decision to target Stein in its latest ad highlights the party’s determination to leave no stone unturned in its efforts to secure victory for Joe Biden. The history of third-party candidates affecting election outcomes serves as a cautionary tale, prompting Democrats to take proactive measures to address potential challenges and ensure a clear path to victory in November.
