How many presidents, or congresspeople, or senators have we had from 3rd parties so far?
3rd parties is not a new concept. They already exist.
Well let's see the first Third Part POTUS was Lincoln. Actually when the GOP was formed the nation was close to where it is now a failed political party or several who fail to properly represent the people. The GOP formed in 1854? as one of many third parties at the time which eventually merged into the party know as The GOP.
Yes it can be done. It was done when there was no wide spread media to get the word out fast yet within a decade they had elected a POTUS. The "where else can the voters go" nonsense was propaganda generated by King RINO Gerald Ford in a comment he made to W in 2000. It's nonsense. Get some Conservatives behind it and the current GOP would be a third party by 2016 elections definitely by 2018.
The fear within the GOP is this. They don't care about Conservatism or even agenda. All the way up through the GOP hierarchy from local election commissions, state party officers, to federal offices, the party leadership fear Independent voters ending their choke hold on the party more than they fear the DEMs. So to keep their power as they have since 1994 they become one with the DEMS. The Parties over. It died sometime in mid to late 1995. It's time for The Wake and to move on.