Souter was a big boo-boo, no doubt. His biggest mistake, in my opinion.
The “no new taxes” thing is a side show.
In 1980, it wasn’t a 3rd party Republican, it was a 3rd party Democrat, Scoop Jackson.
Clinton was lock in ‘96 because Newt and company overplayed their hand, and it’s a pity they did. I appreciate the things Newt did, but he had the country on the right track and then blew it, putting Clinton back on offense when they had him on the ropes.
Whoops! It was John Anderson, had my years wrong.