I’m not a huge fan of the 2 party system, although I like it a lot better than the 1 party system.

Most of the time, I have a major bias toward the third party candidate, even if they aren’t exactly in line with my views, as long as we have basics in common.

But…

A third party going for President at this stage in the process is just not going to win. The math just isn’t there.

A third party needs to lay the groundwork. Needs to run local candidates and win. Needs to run state candidates, and win. It’s a long game.

And then you need some legislative backing. You need Senators and Representatives, or your President doesn’t get jack done. That’s not a feature of US politics, that’s a feature of every non-dictatorial political system ever. A President who is very persuasive, very ready to make deals might possibly be able to work with parties that aren’t his or hers. A President who is there for a revolution is up against a legislative branch made of people who won under the old system — that’s not going to fly. Changing the CEO isn’t a revolution except in a dictatorship.

But here is the ugly truth of politics: when a third party gets into place, you’ll be settling for the least of three evils.