Trump third party

Trump third party run refers to the possibility that Donald Trump will run as a third-party candidate in the 2016 presidential election.

The Fox News Channel opposes this and made it the first issue of the 2016 presidential debate. But in 1980, it was a third-party candidacy by fellow Republican John Anderson which helped elect the conservative Ronald Reagan. Also, the third-party candidacies of Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan helped elect George W. Bush in 2000, and the third-party candidacy of George Wallace in 1968 helped elect Richard Nixon. Indeed, the last 60 years suggest that is more likely for a non-incumbent Republican to win the presidency when there is a third-party candidacy, than when there is not.

Effect on the Media

In 2008 and 2012, in the absence of third-party candidacies, the liberal media were able to tee off against the Republican Party candidate in an unrelenting style. But when there is a significant third-party candidacy, as in 1968, 1980, and 2000, the media have a more difficult time being influential with its liberal bias.

Effect on Swing States

Historically, the swing states have been Florida, Ohio, Nevada, North Carolina and Virginia.