The 3rd party candidates are getting shut out of the election process by the Democrats and Republicans. I actually think it would be informative to have them included in debates, though, without instant runoff elections, votes for 3rd parties are largely wasted (and can spoil an election and hand it to a candidate preferred by only a minority of the voters - as Nader did in 2000).

Quoted: In this latest Zogby Interactive poll, Bob Barr won 6% support and Nader 2% nationally. Neither candidate has cracked the double-digit barrier in any national polling so far this cycle. This polling showed Obama with a 43% to 40% lead over McCain.