[USA] What do you think the political landscape will look like in the new saeculum?

[nguyenivy]

As in, what will the parties be likely to represent over the next turning or two? What will become of the Republican party if their ideas and policies prove to be unpopular enough for long enough that Democrats win multiple presidential and mid-term elections in a row (say from now till 2036 - a 16-year span of Democratic rule)? Will they reinvent themselves as a totally new party with the same name? On the other hand, if the Democratic party wins enough subsequent elections by wide enough margins, would we be in danger of that party not doing enough to 'market themselves' to voters? We already have elements of this playing out in places where people vote for the same party for decades on end and the state/city ends up just not innovating politically because the candidates assume they will always win (or lose). If every election were very close, it would motivate more people to go vote and candidates to actively try to win over voters.

Finally: Will third parties ever be viable to vote for? Did those of us who voted Green or other non-D/R in 2016 throw our votes away?