More Than a Two-Party System in the US?

This is an interesting article posted on TheHill.com. It goes on to explain the idea's behind a possible three party system amidst the political atmosphere in the United States today. This is a thought that has come up often in political discussion of the late 20th and early 21st century - mainly due to the rise in registered "Independent" or "Non-Affiliate" voters. Many discredit claims that there will ever be a multi-party system in the United States, due to the fact that our political environment and governing bodies don't allow more than a two party system...organizationally speaking. I believe this to be true.

However, what I believe hasn't been assessed strongly enough is the rise of other factions or caucuses within the Democratic and Republican parties that exist today. For example, the Tea Party movement has given way to increased in "conservative Republicans." In the recent congressional special election of New York's 23 district, the Republican party was forced to nominate the Conservative Party candidate. We've seen a division of the Democratic Party in congress the last 6 months or so, due mostly to the ideological differences of traditional liberal-Democrats and fiscally conservative "Blue Dogs." This past summer, talk show host and political pundit Rush Limbaugh stated, when speaking about the division of Democratic Party amongst the Blue Dogs and Liberals, "We will see the MOTHER of ALL political battles ahead of us." Forget an Independent Party. The better question is, will we see the introduction of a new "Conservative Democrat Party" or the re-introduction of a "Conservative Party?"

Likely the answer is no. The long established Republican and Democrat Parties are far to powerful to allow factions among them. It is not in their better interest, and their leaders will stress for unification. For example, this is quite possible what defined Ronald Reagan. He re-united the Republican Party by bringing together moderates and conservatives.

But who really knows? What do you think?

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/politics/66489-the-big-question-will-we-see-more-third-party-candidates