Well here's the problem.

The "right" isn't conservative anymore.

They increased a record debt under Bush as "compassionate conservatives." They want to control what you do with your life and started the "War on Drugs." They abandon constitutional principles and declare war on an independent state that poses no true threat to the safety of its citizens. They have abandoned free market principles.

The Republicans and the "Right" don't have a clear voice, because they've abandoned their principles of true limited government.

The Republicans have become more like Democrats (and other than a few key issues are nearly identical). And you wonder why the Republicans are having an identity crisis? It's because they've abandoned their original identity.

This is what many of us see as the face of today's Republican, and what has turned many Americans including me away from the party. I can't stand to listen to people complaining and yelling all the time. Make changes, don't just b***h about them.

Agreed--today's Republican party is NOT the same party it once was, and it has given up a lot of what made it sensible and appealing to become this conglomeration of platforms.

But more than that...It's like asking 'where are the smart Floridians?' The media doesn't make money by showing bright, sensible people making rational, well thought out decisions. It makes money by flaunting the extremists. That's what fills in around the 'real' news--the ranters, who are barely coherent. It happens on both sides, not sure why people are surprised to see it happening with Republicans.

They still have 'real' news?

I must have blinked and missed it.

See? A large percent of what is on 'news' programs is fabricated by the media, we're told it's news, we're told we care and should watch.

Stupid.

Personally (although I do not really have any dealings with US politics, because I'm dutch), I would say that a new party should be created: "The New Republicans", consisting of those who are indeed smart and not so extreme.

Because your dutch you have no Idea how funny that really is. That's funnier then Bill Maher or Lewis Black.

Indulge me.

This explains it.

What do you think is hindering a new party, one that adheres to conservative values and not just "the opposite of the other party," from forming?

For example, many politicians and voters and rednecks in my province think the Conservative leader and part of the party is becoming too left-leaning, so a right-leaning party (Wild Rose Alliance) is gaining more and more momentum and popularity. It's happened here quite a bit, people getting frustrated that a party is deviating from it's original founding platform, so a new party arises to fill the gap.

As far as my internet research takes me, it's not illegal for new American parties to form, so why do you think American politicians AND voters would rather put up with BS than give a new set of values and a new platform a try?
This isn't just a question aimed at Josh, it's for anyone to answer. I honestly couldn't imagine only having the option of 1 of 2 parties to vote for.

We have more parties, but only two have any substantial clout (right now). So if you are a upward-minded politician, you wanna be where the game is being played. There's a perception that only the big two (Dems and GOP) can get anyone behind them... though that's only true if everyone stays behind the big two parties...

There are lots of fringe parties in the US but most people ignore them. They need to get 3% of the vote to get public funding. I think that the libertarians have come close and Nader's Green party came close in some states.

I have only once voted for someone in the 2 main parties. When I talk about who I voted for with friends or family they will ask me "Why did you throw your vote away?". They all seem content to vote for the lesser of two evils. I tell them they are the ones that are throwing away votes by not voting for someone they would actually like to see elected.

I don't know if that covers most people but it does cover most people I know. They feel that if they are casting a vote for someone other than the 2 main parties they are wasting their vote. This became a very big deal with for people who like to blame Nader for stealing the election from Gore. They forget that Gore sucked and he gave the election away.

Third parties are ignored by the media. They aren't really covered, and they aren't invited to debates. Plus they have a bad reputation as a sure loser in elections, so most people wouldn't vote for them no matter what their stances on issues are or who their candidates are.

Perfect.