(2010-10-03) Friedman Third Party

Thomas Friedman says in talks here and elsewhere I continue to be astounded by the level of disgust with Washington DC, and our Two Party System — so much so that I am ready to hazard a prediction: Barring a transformation of the Democratic and Republican Parties, there is going to be a serious Third Party candidate in 2012, with a serious political movement behind him or her — one definitely big enough to impact the election’s outcome. There is a revolution brewing in the country, and it is not just on the right wing but in the radical center. I know of at least two serious groups, one on the East Coast and one on the West Coast, developing “third parties” to challenge our stagnating two-party duopoly that has been presiding over our nation’s steady incremental decline.

I just don't see a useful outcome here. Yes, an outsider could be enough of a force to require co-opting from one of the big parties. Then the election will come, and things will go back to normal.