Growing number of Republicans favor a third party, poll finds

For the first time in Gallup history, more Republicans than Democrats support a new third major political party, according to a new Gallup survey.

Fifty-two percent of Republicans say they support a third party because the two major parties do such "a poor job" of representing the people. Just 33 percent of Democrats felt similarly--and, as expected, self-described independents were the most forceful backers of a third party, with 68 percent indicating support.

Gallup reports this is the first time "a significantly higher percentage of Republicans than Democrats" favor a third party.

The poll suggests that tea party supporters are driving this change: Sixty percent of tea party supporters say a third party is necessary, compared with 44 percent of tea party opponents.

In the 2010 elections, many Americans voted for tea party-affiliated candidates over establishment Republicans in primaries across the country. But the tea party shuns organization and formal structure, which will greatly complicate attempts to make it into a formal party any time soon. Even far more concerted third-party movements have historically made a negligible impact on the current two-party American political system.

Americans who don't feel at home with either party have several new organizations to which to turn this cycle, including the centrist "No Limits" group, founded by Democratic fundraiser Nancy Jacobson and GOP strategist Mark McKinnon and advised by famous centrists such as Republican-turned Independent Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City.

Overall, a majority of Americans--52 percent--say a third party is necessary, with just 40 percent saying that the two major parties do an "adequate job" representing them. The total number of Americans who support a third party is down from August, when 58 percent supported the idea.