what if the independent left-progressive infrastructure (MoveOn, ...)

[© Tweed the Younger]

... Rebuild the Dream, etc. united behind a single third party candidate?  progressive discontent with Obama is there to the extent that 5% PV nationally would not be difficult, setting up such a movement for federal matching funds in 2016.

[Heimdal]

Beyond increasing Romneys chances of defeating Obama in november?

[You kip if you want to...]

For the same reason that the Tea Party's not running as a third party.

[Jacobtm]

[zorkpolitics]

All the Progressives need to do is vote for "their" guy:
https://secure.americanselect.org/about
There is already an independent group looking for a candidate to run as an independent in all 50 states

[Rep Pyrofox]

It would split the Democratic vote, allowing for a Republican victory.

To win, the Progressive candidate would need to be the running Democrat.
This could easily occur in 2016 in a multitude of scenarios.

[A-Bob]

Isn't that ironic that in today's world, winning both and only Utah and Vermont lol

[Simfan34]

Isn't that ironic that in today's world, winning both and only Utah and Vermont lol

Very.

[All life is a blur of Republicans and meat.]

... Rebuild the Dream, etc. united behind a single third party candidate?  progressive discontent with Obama is there to the extent that 5% PV nationally would not be difficult, setting up such a movement for federal matching funds in 2016.

5% would be extremely difficult. The vast majority Democrats still like Obama. I'm not really sure why they do but they do.

[Link]

Isn't that ironic that in today's world, winning both and only Utah and Vermont lol

That is one of the most hilarious maps I've ever seen.  They should show that map without the labels and say "explain this map" for a Poli Sci final.

[Vasall des Midas]

the independent left-progressive infractructure would fracture hopelessly.

[anvi]

So now, instead of running a primary challenge to Obama and getting crushed like a bug in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada, the idea is to run an independent liberal third party candidate who can bypass the primaries and run in the general.  When such a third-party liberal runs, he or she will win no electoral votes and enough of the white liberal vote to allow the Republican contender to beat Obama (they won't need 5% either, 2.5% will do just fine next year to accomplish this).  Then, that Republican president will serve two or three terms, and force any Democrat who wants to be a presidential contender in the future to move even farther right than Clinton and Obama in order to be viable.  In other words, the consequences of the Kennedy primary challenge to Carter and its aftermath all over again.  Effective politics at work.

[Foucaulf]

Remind me why the "left-progressives" should contest these elections in the first place? While the unions go on strike in Europe and protesters battle in the Middle East, the American left distributes buttons to passerby and make jokes about their right-wing opponents.

Ideally all the money raised by these organizations should be put into developing logistics for a mass event, but taking the AARP route is much more effective than wasting money on a one-shot thing.

What a shame that Eugene Debs is considered "minor".

[The Ex-Factor]

Was on the 1912 election wikipedia page earlier today and was surprised to see that Debs got over 6% of the vote. The height of the Socialist Party in America, folks!

Anyone know why California gave 2 votes to Wilson.

[So the Heroes Fall]

the independent left-progressive infractructure would fracture hopelessly.

This

[crypto-fascist superhero]

Anyone know why California gave 2 votes to Wilson.

Electors were on the ballot individually, California elected 11 Roosevelt electors and 2 Wilson electors.

[Mehmentum]

Almost no one on the left wants a liberal third party candidate after the 2000 election.