Reply #12: So what about Edwards backers? [View All]

But I'll answer anyway. Yes. In some ways more so - because he will attract more voters away from viable candidates who can do some good than the fringe candidacy of Nader. In other ways less so - because he will attract some Republicans - but a far lesser number than Dems because the wingnuts generally lockstep in the end. Obviously Nader, knowingly and intentionally, siphoned off only Dems, and campaigned most stronglyt where he could do most harm.

So in the end yep about the same. Anybody who runs a hopeless campaign where all or most of the harm will go to the (very much) lesser of two evils who can possibly win deserves scorn and opprobrium. The only third way I would not heap this on is one that would siphon off mostly opr only the far right - a Roy Moore candidacy would be great. However I would fully expect, and empathize with, the Republican displeasure that would follow.

Small correction - an actual viable third way candidacy making a serious run for a feasible presidncy is simply democracy in action, and while I can't quite foresee one I would support personally, I would accept their right and bona fides in tryting to sell their message. But that's a long way off and won't come from some maverick cult of personality or media creation - but by the hard work of building a party from the ground up via local state and legislative elections. It's vanity candidates and spoilers I would "bash".