Once more independents cluster together with united goals, things will shift in a most stringent fashion. Once an independent wins, true progress can be made. The "chart guy" Ross Perot tried in 1992 as an independent and won 18.9% of the popular vote (but no electoral votes), and ran again in '96 on the Reform Party ticket receiving only 8% of the popular vote. He was ahead of his time. Otherwise, he might have been a good contender this past election or even 2016. His was the best popular vote showing ever for an independent candidate who stood alone on no third party ticket and was smart as a whip. Too bad he was a bit short in the likeable category-people still want to vote for someone they "like", even if they half-way realize that it's not the best candidate voters tend to vote for relatable folks.
It shouldn't be that way...that taller candidates typically fare better than shorter candidates with voters, and the better looking ones are even more appealing to the average voter. People still associate glasses with intelligence lol could be true or really off. Similar with females who run, but it's a bit different. A women can't run on her looks and needs to prove herself, still in 2021.
Holding office should only be based upon IQ, emotional, motives, government knowledge, and leadership ability. Test everyone who runs for office...down to the city council members. Wonder how many would still run?
On the national level, that would bust through a lot of the decades-old smoke and mirrors coming from both sides.
"What, asks a regular Joe Blow or Jane Blow voter? You mean that nice looking, tall male in excellent shape, with a nice smile is actually a conniving shape-shifter?!" Yes...if voters don't want to do the leg work (most don't) provide them with test results and then they can decide who to vote for in living color!
Had Trump run on an independent ticket he might have still won in 2016, but hard to know if enough independents would have pulled him over. As far as I know, the trend of pulling away from both major parties is still a trend.