You are discounting a few things. I’ll start with this one.
“Who is this mythical third party that can do this?” You ask. 1992, Ross Perot. He was easily forgotten, but took just over 18% of the popular vote…
http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?year=1992
The other thing in regards to 3rd Party there is a hellishly large assumption by most that is going to be a huge disappointment for Progressives; It will emerge from the right side of the aisle. We can say what we want about Republicans, but they can fucking get organized a lot better than the typical Democratic group. And this isn’t something new. Will Rogers claimed “I am not a member of any organized party — I am a Democrat” back in 1935.
And along with the speculation that a 3rd Party will emerge from the right side of the aisle I’ll speculate it will be Moderates. Unlike Dems a lot of Repubs feel their party is being taken away from them by the extreme right fringe. They don’t like that yet they don’t have the stomach to be a Democrat. And considering the Beltway Dems I don’t blame them. Hell, I’m registered Independent but I’m Socially Progressive and Fiscally Conservative. I watch what people are doing, I discuss the ideas and if I see that Moderate Republican Party emerge maybe I’ll go that direction…
