Jonah Patel
The Constitution Party, previously known as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party, is an ultra-conservative political party in the United States. The party was founded by Howard Phillips, a conservative activist, in response to President George H. W. Bush's violation of his no new taxes pledge. The Constitution Party promotes a religiously conservative interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and seeks to limit the federal government to its delegated Constitutional functions. As of 2024, the party has had limited success, with 28 members elected to city council and other municipal offices. The party has struggled to gain widespread support, with its candidates placing sixth in the 1996 and 2000 elections. However, it has gained ballot access in a growing number of states and continues to advocate for its conservative agenda.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding | Founded in 1992 by Howard Phillips, a conservative activist |
| Also known as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party until 1999 | |
| Ideology | Ultra-conservative |
| Religiously conservative interpretation of the U.S. Constitution | |
| Opposed to abortion, immigration, and welfare programs | |
| Pro-Second Amendment and individual freedoms | |
| Electoral Performance | Gained ballot access in 39 states in 1996 |
| Phillips and Titus placed sixth with 184,820 votes in 1996 | |
| Phillips and Frazier placed sixth with 98,027 votes in 2000 | |
| In 2004, the party's vote tally increased by 40% compared to 2000 | |
| As of 2019, it was a ballot-qualified party in 14 states | |
| As of June 2024, the party has 28 members elected to city council seats and other municipal offices |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Ballot access and voting numbers
The Constitution Party, named the U.S. Taxpayers' Party until 1999, is an ultra-conservative political party in the United States. The party was founded by Howard Phillips, a conservative activist, after President George H. W. Bush violated his pledge of "read my lips: no new taxes".
In the 1992 presidential election, Phillips and his running mate, Albion Knight, managed to get on the ballot in 21 states and received approximately 40,000 votes. In 1996, Phillips and his new running mate, Herb Titus, gained ballot access in 39 states, representing over 80% of the Electoral College votes available, and won 182,000 votes. In 1999, the party changed its name to the Constitution Party and selected Phillips as its presidential candidate for the 2000 election. This time, the party gained ballot access in 42 states, but received fewer votes than in 1996, with approximately 98,000 votes.
In the 2002 election, at least 20 states had candidates affiliated with the Constitution Party running for office, ranging from governor and U.S. Senate to city council and state house. In 2004, the party achieved ballot access in 41 states and nominated Maryland lawyer Michael Peroutka as its presidential nominee. Although the party was on fewer state ballots in 2004, the vote tally increased by 40% compared to the 2000 elections. In 2008, the party nominated Chuck Baldwin, its 2004 vice-presidential nominee, as its presidential candidate.
As of June 2024, the Constitution Party has 28 members elected to city council seats and other municipal offices across the United States, and ranks fifth among national parties in terms of registered members. The party achieved ballot access in 14 states as of September 2019.
Executive Power: Constitution's Lack of Detail Explored
You may want to see also
Party name change
The Constitution Party, previously known as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party until 1999, is an ultra-conservative political party in the United States. The party was founded by Howard Phillips, a conservative activist, after President George H. W. Bush went back on his pledge of "read my lips: no new taxes".
The name change from the U.S. Taxpayers' Party to the Constitution Party reflects the party's focus on the United States Constitution and its originalist interpretations. The party's platform is based on these interpretations, as well as the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Bible. The name change likely aimed to emphasize the party's commitment to a strict interpretation of the Constitution and to appeal to voters who value this interpretation.
The Constitution Party has had some success in electing members to municipal offices, with 28 members elected to city council seats and other municipal offices across the United States as of June 2024. However, the party has struggled to gain widespread support, with presidential nominees typically receiving around 0.1% of the general election vote. In 2016, the party received over 200,000 votes for the first time, marking a milestone.
In terms of policy, the Constitution Party has experienced some internal divisions and schisms. In 2000, for example, members who advocated for an explicitly religious party left to form the Christian Liberty Party (formerly known as the American Heritage Party). Additionally, in 2006, the Constitution Party of Oregon disaffiliated with the national party due to disagreements over abortion policy. These divisions highlight the challenges the party has faced in maintaining a unified front and achieving its goals.
Overall, while the Constitution Party has had some successes, its impact and influence on American politics remain limited. The party continues to advocate for its conservative interpretation of the Constitution and seeks to shape political discourse, but its ability to translate this into widespread electoral success has been modest.
The Constitution: Ratification Objections and Their Impact
You may want to see also
Core values
The Constitution Party, previously known as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party, is an ultra-conservative political party in the United States. The party was founded by Howard Phillips, a conservative activist, after President George H. W. Bush violated his pledge of "read my lips: no new taxes".
The core values of the Constitution Party are based on originalist interpretations of the Constitution and are shaped by principles that they believe were set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Bible. The party's core values include:
Sanctity of Life
The Constitution Party believes that life begins at fertilization and that the pre-born child is a human being created in God's image. They oppose abortion under any circumstances and believe that it is the duty of civil governments to secure and safeguard the lives of the pre-born. They also oppose euthanasia, infanticide, suicide, and the use of abortifacients.
Limited Government
The party advocates for limited government and a return to the principles of the U.S. Constitution. They believe that the government should be restricted to its delegated, enumerated Constitutional functions and that civil governments must be limited in their powers to intrude upon the persons and private property of individual citizens. They also oppose taxation on churches and other religious organizations.
Second Amendment Rights
The Constitution Party strongly supports the right to bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment. They believe that the right to keep and bear arms is inherent in the right of self-defense, defense of the family, and defense against tyranny.
National Sovereignty
The party opposes any form of global governance or intervention in foreign wars that compromise national sovereignty. They call for the United States to withdraw from the United Nations and its affiliated organizations and to oppose any treaties or agreements that compromise American independence.
Traditional Family Values
The Constitution Party affirms the traditional nuclear family, consisting of one man and one woman joined by marriage, as the ideal and most secure relationship. They believe that this form of family should be encouraged by law and promoted as the best environment for raising children.
Religious Liberties
The party calls upon all branches of government to respect religious liberties and to refrain from taxing churches and religious organizations. They believe that the U.S. Constitution established a Republic under God and that civil governments must uphold the religious foundations of the nation.
Police Caution: Criminal Record or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Schism and disaffiliation
The Constitution Party, previously known as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party, has experienced some internal divisions and disaffiliations since its founding. One notable instance of schism occurred in 2000 when a faction within the party advocated for an explicitly religious party platform. This group eventually left the Constitution Party and formed the Christian Liberty Party, also known as the American Heritage Party. This schism highlighted a divergence of views within the party, with some members prioritising a more overtly religious agenda.
Another significant instance of disaffiliation occurred in 2006 when the Constitution Party of Oregon distanced itself from the national Constitution Party due to disagreements over abortion policy. Despite this, the Oregon branch maintained its alignment with the national party's presidential nominee in the 2008 election. However, in 2013, the Constitution Party of Oregon formally affiliated with the Independent American Party, marking a shift in their political alliances.
The Constitution Party has also faced challenges in terms of candidate selection and nominations. During the 1992 and 1996 presidential elections, the party sought to attract prominent politicians such as Pat Buchanan and Ross Perot, but ultimately selected Howard Phillips, the party's founder, as its presidential nominee in three consecutive elections. In 2000, the party's vice-presidential nominee, Joseph Sobran, resigned due to conflicts between his role as a columnist and his political position. These instances reflect a certain level of turbulence within the party's leadership and a struggle to secure high-profile candidates.
In addition, the Constitution Party has had varying levels of success in terms of ballot access and electoral representation. While they achieved ballot access in a significant number of states in 1996, 2004, and 2011, they have also faced challenges in this area. For example, in 2002, at least 20 states had Constitution Party-affiliated candidates running for various offices, but the party's influence and recognition vary across the country. As of 2019, the Constitution Party ranked as the fifth-largest political party in the United States in terms of registered members, and it had 28 members elected to city council seats and other municipal offices as of June 2024.
Sierra Leone's One-Party System: Effective or Not?
You may want to see also
Elected officials
The Constitution Party is a relatively small political party in the United States that has had limited success in electing officials to office. The party's platform is based on strict adherence to its interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and promoting conservative social values. While the party has not achieved widespread electoral success, it has had some notable victories and influenced the political discourse in certain regions.
At the federal level, the Constitution Party has not elected any officials to the U.S. Congress or the Presidency. The party's candidates have typically received a small percentage of the vote in national elections, and they have not been competitive with the major parties. However, on a local level, the party has seen some success.
In some states, Constitution Party candidates have been elected to local offices, such as school boards, city councils, and state legislatures. These victories are often attributed to local factors, such as strong grassroots organizing or unique characteristics of the district. For example, in certain states, Constitution Party candidates have won seats in the state legislature, benefiting from conservative-leaning districts and a strong local presence.
Additionally, the Constitution Party has influenced elections by forming alliances with other minor parties. In some cases, their candidates have run as independents or under the banner of another party, which has led to a handful of elected officials with ties to the Constitution Party's platform.
While the Constitution Party has not achieved widespread success in terms of elected officials, they have impacted local politics and continued to advocate for their principles. Their supporters remain dedicated to their cause, and their influence, though limited, can be seen in certain regions and through their impact on political conversations.
College-Educated Constitution Signers: How Many?
You may want to see also
