Has the Supreme Court Entrenched the Two Parties?

The upcoming mid-term elections, in which Republican gains are strongly anticipated, are much more about anger than beliefs.  Voters are inclined to throw the bums out (which in some cases may mean Republicans instead of Democrats).  They are anti-incumbent and only incidentally sometimes in favor of the challenger. 

This would seem the ideal environment to launch a third political party.  The Republicans and Democrats have become increasingly insular--from each other, and especially from the middle of the electorate.  The strong showing by Independent Greg Orman in the Kansas senatorial race illustrates the willingness of voters to consider candidates from outside the box. 

But Orman, if he wins, will caucus with one party or the other.  He isn't looking to lead the charge for a third party.  Big Republican Money is flowing into campaign coffers to inflame voter anger.  Big Democratic Money is flowing in riposte.  Any attempt to create a third party would be crushed by these financial woolly mammoths. 

The Supreme Court in recent years has struck down various limits on campaign contributions, opening the way for large contributors to throw their weight around.  Even though voters may be increasingly ready for a choice other than Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, few with deep pockets would be willing to fund a third party.  The existing parties, with their gerrymandered incumbents and established infrastructure, enjoy exacerbated advantages from the Supreme Court's antipathy toward restrictions on campaign contributions.  Regardless of the mood of the electorate, the chances for a third party to take root shrink as funding for the Republicans and Democrats increases.

There are political insurgencies.  But they take place within the established parties.  The Tea Party and its sympathizers have swung the Republican Party away from its traditional power brokers.  And the election of a black man to the White House came from the most successful political insurgency in over 40 years.  But, if you're hoping to see colors other than red and blue on political maps, you'll be waiting a long time, thanks in no small part to the Supreme Court.