2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Sanders to run on Green Party Ticket with Stein(?) [View all]AntiBank
(1,339 posts)he doesn't even have to win a single state.
His 3rd party run WOULD give many states to Trump that Clinton probably or likely would have won.
Even if Sanders kept Trump from getting 270 electoral votes, he most certainly would absolutely also prevent Clinton from getting 270.
Then the House votes Trump Potus.
There is a 98% plus chance that a Sanders 3rd party run gives the POTUS to Trumpf.
Thank god it will not happen. Sanders is NOT going to run 3rd party.
The only way that could happen is if Hillary is indicted, not just recommended for indictment (I dont think she drops out if the DOJ doesn't indict) and then the Dem leadership fucks over Sanders and goes for Biden or some other insider as a replacement.
At that point, Sanders might bolt.
If Sanders bolts, then I also see a potential 3rd party conservative entering the race too. As the Rethug leadership could run a 3 to 7 state specific targeted race, get enough electoral vote to finish top 3 (only top 3 electoral vote getters are voted on in the House for POTUS if no one gets to 270)
and then strong arm 26 of the 30 to 33 House delegations the Rethugs control (each of the 50 states gets ONE vote decided within its delegation) to vote for MR/Mrs X, the establishment candidate.
Bear in mind, that person would have to win more electoral votes than one of the 2 left wing candidates, which, if its Sanders and say Dem establishment-backed Biden, will be tough.