More in the cross-post on the MRC's NewsBusters blog.
On Tuesday, all three network morning shows promptly dismissed talk of a third party conservative candidate stepping forward in the presidential race as “fantasy” and “a fool’s errand.” Hosts and correspondents openly mocked the notion of an independent alternative to Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump.
On NBC’s Today, co-host Savannah Guthrie wondered: “Let's start with this tantalizing tweet from Bill Kristol that there could be a third party candidate who’s impressive and formidable and would be well funded and is thinking about getting in the race. Does this seem realistic, feasible?” Political analyst Nicolle Wallace brushed aside the idea: “Listen, anything is possible...But I don’t see this happening, and I don’t see it happening in a manner that weakens Trump.”