(Un)official Democratic strategy: Prop up third-party candidates

[rob in cal]

If in fact these candidates lead to Democrat victories with a plurality of the vote, GOP needs to get behind the instant runoff or delayed runoff idea.

[rob in cal]

Also, while the GOP does this as well, it seem that in all the close elections where a split vote helps the other side win, it seems that its usually the Dems benefiting.  Just look at how many Green and or Socialist type candidates there are out there, compared to conservative leaning independents, Libertarians, Constitution Party, independent Tea Party people etc. I'm thinking of Montana Senate 06, Alaska Senate 08 and Oregon Senate 08 and Washington Senate 04 (I might be wrong on date on that one) where a split right and center right won a majority of votes but lost the election.
       Of course, my argument is predicated on labeling the Libertarian (by far the leading third party provider of congressional candidates I believe) as right of center, which I understand is open to question.  In Governors races it doesn't seem you have this dynamic as much, (seems more often to have moderate independent candidates who appeal to all sided of political spectrum).