If the LP doesn't do well in 2016, won't it make 3rd parties hopeless?

[Blue3]

If the Libertarian Party doesn't do well in 2016, then does that essentially kill all future hopes of 3rd parties beyond this election?

The stars could not have aligned better.

The Libertarians have two popular former 2-term governors. And they're not saying kooky things, or peddling conspiracy theories, or going super-negative with no substance for their own platform. Johnson and Weld are not the fringe. Republican establishment favorites are said to be seriously considering them, from Mitt Romney to the Bush family.

Meanwhile, the Republican Party has nominated Donald Trump, and we all know how that reality TV show is going. And I'm a Hillary supporter, but I won't deny the polling facts that she's only losing to Trump is the personal unfavorability  ratings for nominees in recent history (whether that's unearned or earned isn't the point here).

If the Libertarian Party doesn't have a breakout performance this year, I think we can pretty much say any hope for 3rd parties or independents in the foreseeable future is dead. Agree/disagree?

[Figueira]

Third parties are already hopeless.

[anthonyjg]

Maybe, but I think it would mainly prove that you have to build a party starting at the local and state level rather than trying to start top down.

[Spark]

Disagree. We may move toward a third party system in the future

[Heisenberg]

Disagree. We may move toward a third party system in the future

Doubt it. Third parties are hopeless. I'm not exactly the biggest fan of the two party system, but I don't think anything's better.

[5280]

Disagree. We may move toward a third party system in the future

Doubt it. Third parties are hopeless. I'm not exactly the biggest fan of the two party system, but I don't think anything's better.

Sure, the Democratic party is a joke and the Republicans are dying off like the Whigs. How do you think 3rd parties become the 2nd or major party in the US? Remember when the GOP was a new party from the beginning?

[AuH2O Republican]

Even if the GOP is dying off as a party, I cannot see the LP filling the void. Really think that the bulk of the Republican base would accept the LP's policies on drugs, abortion, marriage etc.? In the long term then maybe, as more young people seem to be less conservative on social matters regardless of their views on economics and government. But in the short to medium term, can't see it, which is a shame because I would really like to see the LP do well.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The GOP is not dying off, but you can keep dreaming.