The Hill News

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) said a third party could emerge in the U.S. as early as 2012 if Republicans stray from their principles.

Thune, a potential presidential candidate in 2012, predicted that a third party could emerge if Republicans win majorities in Congress, but don't follow through on their promises.

"I will say this: If we do not govern according to our principles and if we don't follow through on the things we say we're going to do, I think there will be a third party in this country," the fourth-ranking Senate Republican said on C-SPAN's "Newsmakers" program, set for broadcast this weekend.

Thune said that Republicans could be given another chance to govern after voters handed De! mocrats majorities in the House and Senate in 2006, which they've held since then. But if voters decide to give the GOP another chance, Thune argued, then Republicans would have to follow through on their promises.

"If we don't govern accordingly, I think you're going to see a third party in this country," he said, suggesting that such a third party might be closely aligned with the Tea Party -- the crop of conservative, grassroots activists who've had a heavy influence on politics this election cycle.

Such a third party could come soon, "conceivably" as soon as 2012, if the GOP were to win control of the House or Senate, Thune said.

Thune, like many other Republicans, has sought to build off of the momentum that movement has brought to the elections this time around, though he (and many other possible Republican candidates) have been somewhat short on cash toward the less establishment Senate candidates backed by the Tea Party.

Thune explained that the movement didn't want to be seen as wholly part of the GOP.

"I don't think the Tea Party wants to be adopted," he explained. "I think they view themselves as a very independent movement."