Ross did not cost Poppy a second term. Poppy cost himself the second term. Clinton ran to right of Poppy and later Dole. In the same manner Gore had he not been Clinton connected would have easily won against W simply because as W himself stated they were not that far apart on most issues.
For eight years Ronald Reagan steered us on a course of correction, brought prosperity and restored national pride. He had things pretty much straightened out domestic, foreign, and our military problems. We were on the right path as a nation.
In four short years as POTUS Poppy gave it all away. Poppy hated the Reagan policies. So Poppy invited his LIBERAL ROCKEFELLER ELITIST past GOP failures buddies back in to take over and things went down hill very fast from there yes including our military strength. The Bush's and the Clinton's agendas combined put us back to a worse conditions overall as a nation than even Carter could create in his time.
Da Beloved W paved the way for Obama. GW Bush's policies of larger government with more federal powers has been used against us by Obama. None dare call them all tyrants though but only the DEMs are called such by most.
As for Third Parties? Let the GOP leadership be put on notice. Straighten your acts up NOW for our nations sake or be replaced in 2012. The GOP was formed as a third party a remaining sect of a previous party & it can be replaced in the same manner it was formed.
When the final demise of the USA is studied, the Republican Party and its ineptitude and desire to be liked by liberals has to be near the top of the reasons for the calamity.