It's the NPR Politics Podcast.

Here at the show, one of the questions we keep getting more than any other, as we get

a clearer picture of the candidates we'll see in the general election, is some variation

on, is there some other option?

An independent run or maybe a third party candidacy could take hold?

Could Bernie Sanders run?

Could Mitt Romney run?

Could anyone else give voters a chance to choose anyone else?

We thought we'd take a little time to talk about this, and I'm Tamer Keith, I cover the

White House and the campaign.

I'm Scott Detro, campaign reporter.

And I'm Ron Elving, editor correspondent.

And Ron, you are here to make an announcement?

My 2016 plans?

Yes.

Just what you see happening right now.

But seriously, there are a lot of people, or at least some people with a lot of money,

looking for an alternative, looking for, particularly on the Republican side, looking

for a candidate who could be a palatable alternative for those never-Trump people.

Right.

I think a major theme of the campaign this year has been concern, dissatisfaction, discomfort

by a large chunk of the Republican establishment, especially with Donald Trump as the likely

...