[itsamelman]

So, say Kerry gets 45%, Bush gets 40%, and Tancredo gets 8% ( a stretch, I know, but work with me), a Kerry presidency is my fault? Oh, I get it now.

[weegee]

You're right. The Greenie Weenies and assorted socialist parties played no part in Al Gore losing Florida in 2000. We still would have seen George W. Bush elected (not).

Yes, if an election day candidate does not stand a viable chance at actually winning then he siphons votes from the top 2 contenders.

In Houston's mayor race we have a run off between the top 2 guys if no one gets more than 50% of the vote. There is no primary and no party affiliation (offically). The presidency carries no such run off (although I would like to see that change).