The best a third party can hope for us to split the vote from whatever majority party they are most like and allow the other side to win.

Progressive Democrats in non-swing states can vote 3rd party and scare future delegates and contenders into being more progressive. Also, they could support Libertarians and Constitutionalists a little in non-swing states.

​

source for pic: wc:File:Progressive Moose walking.png

wp:Bull Moose Party

The Progressive Party, popularly nicknamed the Bull Moose Party, was a third party in the United States formed in 1912 by former president Theodore Roosevelt after he lost the presidential nomination of the Republican Party to his former protégé turned rival, incumbent president William Howard Taft. The new party was known for taking advanced positions on progressive reforms and attracting leading national reformers. The party was also ideologically deeply connected with America’s radical-liberal tradition.[2]

​

wp:1912 United States presidential election

In 1848, it was just the Democrats and the Whigs.

Then in 1856, the Republicans ran their first candidate for President: John C. Frémont;

and in 1860, it was Lincoln.

​

​

​

(minor correction about 3 hours after replying: “and in 1856, it was Lincoln.” to “and in 1860, it was Lincoln.”)