We are in a situation where literally, it is mere technicality that defines it as "3rd Party." The Democrat and Republican parties are in essentials identical parties, in fundamental operation. They advance government to achieve social and economic goals, BOTH OF THEM.
The SECOND PARTY is the one that stands for cutting back government and reducing it to a bare minimum in social and economic roles, and return those freedoms to the states and their people. That's the OTHER party Americans seek, growing in numbers as disillusioned Republicans and Democrats abandon their liberal "roots." That second party demand is there, but as of yet has neither a name nor candidates.
Setting up an official “Party” apparatus, getting filed in all States, the legal process involved, all of these things dictate:
TAKE OVER THE REPUBLICAN PARTY with conservatives!
Everything else is a waste of time and effort and will fail.
If we do not have the numbers to dominate the Republican Party how will we ever dominate the general electorate?
NO. They are not.
The RAT and Republican voters are worlds apart from each other on issues, and that's who create the platforms. The elected RATs seldom betray their voters, unlike RINOs.
The RINOs are little more than RAT infiltrators who have taken over leadership positions in Washington. (why do you think they call them RINOs?)
However, you could safely say "The RATs and RINOs are essentially identical"