A simple poll

[Benton]

(10-27-2016, 12:51 PM)hollodero Wrote: Ross Perot had 19%. Just saying. Did Ross Perot sustainably change the political landscape? (This is an honest question, although I think he didn't).

As for your other point. I don't think third party voters are regarded as voices of dissatisfaction. The fact that about half - half! - the people don't bother to vote at all should be regarded as such. But no one seems to care too much about that form of protesting (which it is at this extent). 
So why should they care about some Johnson or Stein voter. They are either irrelevant - or take away votes from one party, leading the other to victory. A fact so evident that it will always cap third party's success.
Democrats do not go after Ralph Nader or Jill Stein voters by shifting their policy in their direction. Jill Stein causes no such thing. If at all, Bernie Sanders does.

I think Ross Perot changed in regard to perception that you have to belong to either side. That's opened the door for third party candidates at the local level, and for reform efforts within one of the parties (the tea party).

as far as voter turnout, half not showing up isn't a sign of dissatisfaction that's a sign of disinterest. If your job is to make sure your party's candidates are reelected, you don't care about people who aren't going to negatively impact you. It's the same whether there's 10 people participating or 10,000 or 10 million.