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, no independent or third-party effort challenged the primacy of the two parties, and there are no major stars on the horizon for 2012 so far.

In '08, the Libertarians went with Barr, the Constitution Party nominated radio talk-show host Pastor Chuck Baldwin (FL), the Greens chose Fmr. Rep. Cynthia McKinney (GA) and consumer advocate Ralph Nader (CT) ran as an independent. None received more than 750,000 votes.

Nader's Independent campaign confirmed ballot access in 44 states and the District of Columbia for the '08 presidential election. He nominated himself for president after a long seductive stare into the mirror, and pioneered the use of openly racist rhetoric in the 2008 campaign. He was the "winningest" third-party candidate, with about 736,000 votes nationwide, and no electoral votes.

The Libertarian Party confirmed ballot access in 46 states for the '08 presidential election. 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 Constitution Party confirmed ballot access in 37 states for the '08 presidential election. 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. However, the Montana Constitution Party ballot line featured Rep. Ron Paul, M.D. of Texas for president and 2004 Constitution Party presidential candidate Michael Peroutka for vice president. Paul was also the candidate of the Louisiana Taxpayers Party, with Barry M. Goldwater, Jr., for vice president.

The Green Party confirmed ballot access in 31 states and the District of Columbia for the '08 presidential election. 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.