3rd parties will not attract most conservatives. They haven't in the past with Buchanan and they have not with the Constitution/US Taxpayers Party. That's just the fact.

If I ran for office as a NPA (no party affiliation) knowing what I know about campaigns, I could maybe get 15% in Livingston County, where I've lived for 33 years. That's going all in with my campaign and doing the same thing I would do in a primary where I'd have a chance to win. Even if a miracle happened and I won as a 3rd party candidate, I'd be a party of one and largely ineffective.

It's a two party system. If you want changes, primaries are the only way to play ball. I'm not referring to just presidency, but everything from congress to state legislature to county commission to precinct delegate. Most folks don't have the effort to do so, bitch, and talk this 3rd party nonsense.

Marco Rubio said it best. If you don't like the establishment, get a better establishment. That means get involved in local parties, pay your dues (in time and effort, moreso than money), earn your keep, get organized, and make your move for party leadership when it's time. It is a marathon, not a sprint. I've been involved for 11 years, and in local leadership (treasurer) for four - unopposed by either side. I'm an independent thinker, backing candidates ranging from Anuzis (establishment) to Konetchy (very non-establishment). I'm respected because I put the work instead of just talking.