That's just it Chad, the media isn't going to allow the 3rd party to stand a chance either. They won't. The only reason they aren't crucifying Johnson is because he isn't a threat. They won't allow it.
Au contraire. There is a very real and very organized campaign by the
mainstream media to attack Johnson, specifically
because Democrats see him as a threat.
And to think he will win any single state, let alone enough to win the electoral college, is entirely beside the point. The point is to get
enough of the votes to lend credence and legitimacy to politicians
actually operating outside of the two party duopoly. And if you think that's impractical, again, I point you to the realization that
your major party vote, especially for Trump in Alabama, absolutely does not affect shit.
The GOP is finished. The members who are turning their backs on Trump now will face a backlash in the next 2 years giving the DNC full control. Maybe that's what needs to happen. Too many people don't pay attention or give a shit. They are sheep. Maybe this country does need to get real shitty for a decade before the majority of the population starts to really give a fuck again.
If true, that would be misguided and idiotic to face backlash for sticking to principles rather than an oafish clown asshole who does not share any of them. The backlash, from anyone with a brain sloshing around in their skull at least, will be on the people who sold out everything they stand for to support the idiot that deliberately tore apart the party.
I also forgot to finish my earlier thought, which is I don't think if Trump were running as a Dem you'd have the Daily Stormer white nationalists or the Pepe-loving /pol alt-righters supporting him either like you have now. I just don't think, as I was saying, the media would be focusing as heavily on making him out to be a bigot, and therefore those types wouldn't be associating him with it and supporting him specifically because of it.