Ohio Governor John Kasich (R), speculated Sunday about an end to the two-party system in the U.S.
Kasich, a former Republican presidential candidate said on ABC This Week that he’s “starting to really wonder if we are going to see a multiparty system at some point in the future in this country because I don't think either party is answering people's deepest concerns and needs.”
Kasich’s political motives aside, it’s no secret that there’s been a splintering within the Democratic and Republican parties. The Trump and Bernie supporters challenged the status quo in 2016, and part of that result was Trump’s presidency.
But is a truly competitive multi-party system really viable? Not only would there have to be serious money behind a third-party candidate, but the support would have to be sustained over time, and include mobilization from all 50 states.
So what has been the historical impact of third-party candidates in presidential races? Larry speaks to two professors on opposite sides of the aisle today, for a look back at third party leaders and if we can really expect an eventual shift to a multi-party system in the U.S.
Guests:
Derek Muller, associate professor of law at Pepperdine, where his focus includes election law, and the role of states in elections; he tweets
Robert Shrum, political science professor and chair in practical politics at USC; he’s an expert in presidential elections, and political advertising and policy