When Might You Vote For a Political "Outsider"?

To more and more casual political observers, it seems that all Democratic and Republican politicians are just shilling for themselves and their big spending corporate sponsors. 

And who can blame them?  While the astute political observer can still draw meaningful distinctions between Democrats and Republicans, both parties have marched us lock-step into war and imperialism, right to the brink of economic collapse.  All along and each in their own ways, both the Democratic and Republican parties have refused to faithfully represent their constituents.  Sadly, neither Obama nor McCain are acknowledging these betrayals.

Many of us understand that better candidates are out there: apparently noble people (with values much like our own) who, whether by choice or necessity - run for office independently or with the support of peripheral parties.  The danger we face in supporting such candidates of course, is the splintering of our opposition to the least favorable candidate.  (Clearly the best defense against any beast is to unite against it.)

Naturally any of us would gladly vote our conscience if we had instant runoff elections (in which we'd numerically rank our choices and our votes would be awarded to our highest ranked choice that can prevail,) but of course we don't have instant runoff elections.

While answering this question, presume that you most like a peripheral candidate while allowing that you also strongly favor one of the major party candidates over the other.  When then, (if ever) might you vote for a "third party" or independent candidate for President of the United States?

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