Definately a solid PoD, but that might well just result in the Progressives absorbing/being absorbed by the Republican party when TR makes his peace with them.Just get Theodore Roosevelt to win in 1912, and be re-elected in 1916.
Nah I would love to see a POD that creates a three party system in the US; Democrats, Republicans and Progressives. The two party system is just so dull.
Well, it would depend on the electoral system... if you keep it FPTP, then it becomes similar to the situation in Britain, where in England up to he last 15 years or so, it's effectively been two-party.Dull? That's about the best that can be said. There's actually not a whole lot of difference, and what difference ther is, polarizes the two. A viable third party would force everyone to talk, negotiate and actually collaborate and develop coalitions. More spice, more entrtainment, probably more involvement by average citizens.
Bobindelaware
I do not know if this is cheating but imagine in 1968 the anti war movement somehow united around the idea of a third party candidacy.
Suppose King survives the murder attempt and is persuaded that being a candiate is the right thing to do
Popular vote
Nixon Republican (37%)
King (Progressive) 28 %
LBJ(Democrat) 20%
Wallace (racist) 15%
Electoral vote
Nixon probably wins more than 270 electoral votes and otherwise is put into the White House by the House of Representatives/
Republicans easily win in 1972 but the Progressives (probably running McGovern easily push the Democrats into third place whilst George Wallace disapears.
Wategate comes out rather later than in OTL
1976 is close but Republicans win.
In 1980 Shirley Chislom is elected President
Greed is good (or God) Capitalism never takes hold the way it did in OTL.