This Perot thing only works when the GOP candidate is at best a weak-kneed RINO. Bush Sr totally lost most conservatives (if not all) and Bob Dole was equally non-inspirational. If Republicans nominate a conservative, who knows what the word means and can explain conservatism in understandable terms, there will be no need to fear a third candidate.
Reagan did not have to worry about a challenge from the right. He dealt with his opposition from the left (”moderate”, Rockefeller Republican, whatever you want to call them), namely Bush Sr.
Agree.
Bush Sr lost most of the voters after his “no new taxes” went south. If you look at Bush during his failed re-election, he looked defeated from the very start. Dole on the other hand was kind of the token republican candidate. As though the party owed him something for his service. Hope we do not make the mistake again with McCain.