1872: Three-Way Election?

Let's say that instead of the Democrats teaming up with the Liberal Republicans, the Dems have their own ticket, making 1972 a three-way election between Grant (R), Greely--or whomever (LR), and whoever the Dems nominate. Who do they nominate? How do they and the Liberal Republicans fare? Can a third party gain any traction? Etc.
 
Let's say that instead of the Democrats teaming up with the Liberal Republicans, the Dems have their own ticket, making 1972 a three-way election between Grant (R), Greely--or whomever (LR), and whoever the Dems nominate. Who do they nominate? How do they and the Liberal Republicans fare? Can a third party gain any traction? Etc.

Doubt it. Grant won very easily and here it would be splitting the voters so it would be like the 1912 election, when Taft and Teddy Roosevelt both ran, splitting the Republican Party.
 
I kinda get the impression the reason the Democrats endorsed the Liberal Republicans was because they knew they didn't have a chance in hell.
 
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