marco:

…..

If the general election is between one Republican and two Democrats, the Democrats will lose, no question.

But what if it becomes a race between four viable candidates instead of two, plus an optional Nader slot?

Hillary (D), Obama (I), McCain (R), Bloomberg (I), and Ron Paul (N).

I’d love to see that. Having more viable candidates in the general election would do wonders to help the douche-and-turd problem.

The Electoral College really throws a wrench in this scenario.  If I understand it correctly, the winner has to have a majority of the Electoral College votes.  That number is 270.  If there are 4 truly viable candidates it’s unlikely anyone gets 270.  In that case, the House votes to decide the winner.  How many members of the House will vote for someone outside their party?  I’m guessing very few.  Since the House is in control of the Dems, that makes Hillary President. 

I’d much rather have Obama, but I’ll take Hillary, by far, over any of the rest.  Still, this scenario is a good argument to dump the Electoral College.