Four factors align for third-party candidate's win

A reader at The Dish:

A survey of applicable academic research establishes that the success of an independent presidential candidate primarily depends on four factors: (1) whether the candidate’s campaign is well-funded; (2) the degree to which voters have grown cynical and politically-alienated; (3) whether voters like, i.e., feel warmly towards, the Democratic and Republican candidates; and (4) whether voters like the independent candidate.  While one cannot profess to be able to accurately predict the future, it appears likely that, in 2012, these drivers of independent voting behavior will align in an unprecedented manner that could propel an independent presidential candidate to unexpected heights.