I think your analogy holds up pretty accurately in Prez elections, and only prez elections -but I am focused on a whole lot more than that. A third party might elect a President one day - but that’s not the same thing as being a real across the board party.
A third party elected a Minnesota governor in 98, and it didn’t do a thing to help out in any meaningful way, and that party is now gone with the wind. A third party got 19% of the vote for Prez in 92, but it’s not even a vapor anymore.
Across the board attraction would be helpful, that’s for certain. But, what attracts across the board is kind of circular, in that what it is attracting is proving distasteful.
Of course, then I go off and say I am starting to watch Rand Paul! His approach is equally attracting and repelling unlikely bedfellows, across-the-board, shaking up all sides of both parties.
You are probably more informed of advances being made inside the party than I. Hope springs eternal. I believe we are being entertained again with hope, over having a real fight against oppression. Cynical me. Thx.
Keep swinging at the really bad guys.