Will a GOP victory destory the current two-party system?

[politicaltipster]

Disagree. What massviely damaged the Democratic party was Clinton's escapades in 1998. Although the GOP overplaying their hand meant that Clinton was able to avoid impeachment, it destroyed the Democrats in South (unless you count Delaware, Maryland and DC as part of the South). It would have destroyed the Dems in the Midwest if Gore had chosen Edwards rather than Lieberman and/or McCain had run as a third party candidate (some early polls had Gore in third place in a hypothetical three way matchup).

Choosing Obama could also destroy the Democrats in that they lose the intellectual firepower of the more moderate Democrats could move over and become Republicans (like Condi Rice, Jeanne Kirkpatrick, Paul Wolfovitz, Bill Kristol in the 70s).

However, I doubt that anything short of a sucessful third party challenge would permanantly destroy the two party system.

[Person Man]

So the question then becomes whether this would be the right timing for a 3rd party challenge.

[politicaltipster]

Not really. John McCain's victory in the Republican primaries means that there is no room left in the centre of the political spectrum (which is where any third party challenge is going to come from). Of course if Romney was the nominee then there would be room for a third party, but you would have to find someone who was acceptable to both Conservative Democrats and Moderate Republicans (Bloomberg would only appeal to some liberal Republicans).

[Person Man]

I guess it would depend on McCain then. I think there could be a strong 3rd party emerge if he is dead set against unions, minimium wage and really pushes for tort reform or if he manages to overturn Roe or invade another country. If he replaces Ginny and Stevens with Souter/O'Connor types, tries to meet people on economic issues AND stays only in Iraq... I think he will pacify enough people.

[motomonkey]

If the Democrats cannot figure out how to win in 2008 with a highly unpopular President, an unpopular war, an economy that is tanking, record deficits, a 72 year old opponent leading a less than fully supportive Republican party after two full terms of Republican rule in the White House then something has to change.

If the Dems lose then they will have to abandon the liberal, two-coast leadership philosophy that gets them close but not a win.  There is plenty of room in the middle where Clinton won.

[Person Man]

If the Democrats cannot figure out how to win in 2008 with a highly unpopular President, an unpopular war, an economy that is tanking, record deficits, a 72 year old opponent leading a less than fully supportive Republican party after two full terms of Republican rule in the White House then something has to change.

If the Dems lose then they will have to abandon the liberal, two-coast leadership philosophy that gets them close but not a win.  There is plenty of room in the middle where Clinton won.

How bad could it get?

[Хahar 🤔]

AW, give up on your Democratic dissolution fantasies. Not gonna happen.

[Person Man]

Wouldn't it be great if the progressive movement could start from scratch?