I don't think looking at next November is realistic. There just aren't enough candidates with a 'different message'. Those that *do* have a different message are all over the map. Let's face it, many get re-elected on the platform of "I can't stop all the pork in D.C. so I'll make sure we at least get our cut".

A 3rd party has *no* clout right now when it comes to where the sausages, er, laws are made - in the committees. At best you have a couple of independents who are mostly aligning themselves "for caucus purposes" with the Democrats.

The Tea Party, and this is STRICTLY my opinion, needs a haymaker punch in order to do anything real anytime soon. Power doesn't exactly give itself up willingly. You need a set of priciples that a LOT of people can get behind - and capitalizing on the disenchantments of party members might be a good place to start. You also need a charismatic leader who will be taken seriously. Colin Powell comes to mind - someone like that.

I've long advocated that a *real* and *viable* 3rd party has to exist in order for the United States to progress. Unfortunately, the Libertarians are too radical for American tastes. To pick an easy example, Americans was an FDA that protects our food supply but is not beholden to drug companies. They do not, as far as I can tell, want to abolish the FDA the way the Libertarian Party does.