That is an outstanding point. I think it also speaks to the fact people get so fired up about a third party Prez run that they forget what is involved with a viable party way beyond just an attracitve Prez ticket.
With that said, I do believe the tea party SHOULD organize and BEGIN it’s efforts to form a viable political party... but refrain from splitting the ticket in general elections until gains the strength to win them.
Something like this is done in spots. From what I hear, the NY Conservative Party is a third party - and they support the GOP nominee when he/she is decent, but challenge the GOPers in certain races with bad candidates. This is a sensible hybrid that has a chance of working and winning.
>>> they support the GOP nominee when he/she is decent, but challenge the GOPers in certain races with bad candidates. This is a sensible hybrid that has a chance of working and winning.
The key I think is focusing efforts on the primaries.
Most voters don’t even bother with primaries because they simply trust the establishment (and other repubs) to find the best candidate for the general election.
Voter turnout in most primaries should be a national disgrace... it’s what gives activist groups like gays and environmentalists the power that they have... while republicans just assume that the GOP has it’s back.
When we get out of the general election mentality, and focus on the front end of the election cycle, we might find out how much REAL power we actually have.