Quote:
Originally Posted by dc_dux
Using the Bloomberg scenario, a viable third party will take more than just an "electable" candidate for president
Without that same party winning a growing number of seats in Congress and at the state level over the course of several election cycles, it will be a one trick pony.
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Populist Party (United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Completely forgot about this one, but it does illustrate your point.
They had an issue (really, a set of issues around supporting agriculture over industry), a charismatic leader (William Jennings Bryan) and a crisis (the growing power of railroad and banking interests over American government). They managed to get some governors and senators elected, and had as much as 6% (22 of 357 seats) of the House.
It does show that a party not only has to grow over time from the state levels to succeed, but can't really make any mistakes.