Why I would welcome a third party candidate

The two major party options for the November ballot are all but set and I can't support either one. Hillary Clinton's positions on moral, social, and economic issues are, in almost every case, the opposite of mine, while Donald Trump has demonstrated himself unqualified to hold the office of President.

I strongly suspect Trump's inflammatory comments are cleverly designed to win over the percentage of the electorate that looks for simplistic solutions to complex problems. He plays to the masses, telling them what they want to hear. At least in his public persona Trump lacks any evidence of wisdom, grace, and gravitas. His primary characteristic seems to be a monstrous ego that seeks to win any contest at any cost.

Other niche candidates will probably appear as we get closer to November - those from the Green Party, the Libertarian Party, etc. - but I have overriding problems with the platform positions of those groups to the extent they have developed positions beyond their own often narrow focus.

Which is why I'd like to see someone who holds thoughtful and nuanced conservative views on moral and social issues step forward as an option, what's being called a third party candidate. I don't expect to agree with any candidate on all the details, but I do long for someone who balances conservative principles on foreign and domestic issues with a concern for individual citizens and their well being. It would be wonderful if this person also demonstrated an ability to play well with others, willing to compromise on details in order achieve necessary solutions to real and pressing problems.

I'm convinced those kinds of people exist - individuals with enough experience in the political field to know the ropes, yet not so entrenched in the system that they've sold their soul to the machine. At least from the woods of Oregon possibilities seem to include people like Rep. Paul Ryan, Condoleezza Rice, and a couple of the early departures from the Republican primary contests.

If a candidate came forward who was conservative in their views, articulate and effective in their communication skills, had at least some name recognition, and the requisite character traits I think a large number of Republican and swing voters would sign on. Enough to win the election? Probably not, but it might be close, or at least interesting. At the very least I think such a candidate would garner enough votes to send a message to both parties that a sizable bloc of the electorate rejects both the political machine and liberal views that are the Democratic candidate, and the offensive hucksterism that is Donald Trump. And that candidate would be well positioned for 2020, when we'll almost certainly be looking for a replacement if either Hillary or Donald occupies the White House. Perhaps this even leads to a third major party, a startup of rational, reasonable conservatives.

Naw, that would make too much sense. And we're talking politics here.