Americans are sick of Republicans and Democrats. Can Independents win?

BIAS BREWING, a brewery in Kalispell, Montana, may seem an oddly-named place for a self-described “radical pragmatist” to hold a campaign event. Yet on a recent evening in July, Seth Bodnar chose the brewery to make his campaign pitch. “Running as an independent, you upset people on both sides,” he told the crowd, while they nursed half-drunk beers. Mr Bodnar wants to be Montana’s next senator. He reckons that Democrats ignore the state and that Republicans take it for granted.Mr Bodnar wants to be Montana’s next senator. He reckons that Democrats ignore the state and that Republicans take it for granted.Mr Bodnar’s campaign is part of a trend. Voters are dissatisfied with America’s two main political parties, with net favourability for Democrats near a 35-year low. That has created an ope