Historically, this isn't true. The Republicans were founded in 1854 and won the presidency in 1864. The second-party system started in 1830 and won the presiden

Historically, this isn't true. The Republicans were founded in 1854 and won the presidency in 1864. The second-party system started in 1830 and won the presidency in 1840. It's actually much easier to do this a national level, and then drive it downwards into the states.