Americans Elect cancels virtual caucus

[muriel_volestrangler]

A group clearing the path for an independent White House bid on Tuesday canceled the first phase of its search for a bipartisan ticket because declared and draft candidates aren't mustering enough preliminary support.

Americans Elect scrapped a virtual caucus that had been planned for next week. Another round of voting set for May 15 also is in jeopardy; a third is to be held on May 22. Candidates must meet a certain threshold of support to be eligible for the caucuses.

Ileana Wachtel, a spokeswoman for the group, says no one gathered enough online "clicks" to qualify. Candidates must show they have the backing of at least 1,000 people in at least 10 states. Some candidates must reach a threshold of 5,000 supporters in each of 10 states because they haven't held high enough office before under the Americans Elect bylaws.
...
Americans Elect, which in the eyes of the law isn't considered a third party, is noteworthy because it has plowed months and many dollars into securing ballot space in all 50 states and is more than halfway to its goal. Its rules require the nominee to field a bipartisan ticket.

Read more here: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/05/01/1923900/group-stirring-independent-wh.html#storylink=cpy#storylink=cpy

[Skinner]

1. LOL.

Nobody could muster 1000 clicks? So lame.

[Tarheel_Dem]

2. Is this Lady Lynn de Rothschild's group?

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Yep, that's the one

http://www.salon.com/2011/12/09/the_slick_schtick_of_americans_elect/
http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/02/walkers-americans-elect-moment-114960.html

[johnnyrocket]

3. Fuck these assholes, it's either the insane party ( GOP ) or the centrist party ( Dems )....

There's no third way, the Democrats ARE essentially the centrists. Now a left wing party making a serious run for president, that would be something.

[RDANGELO]

5. They didn't have anyone competent enough to tell them they were getting into the game too late.

We have had months of 24 hour news of Obama vs Romney. They should have had their candidate out earlier. If they did, they might have been a factor.

[Mass]

6. Not surprised

Given the leadership, I have always thought it was a placeholder for Romney (or another establishment candidate for the GOP). If this is the case, it has become unnecessary.

[JoePhilly]

7. That's really what it is. Its a moderate GOP group generally focused on ...

expanding GOP corporatist policies, while generally ignoring social policy.

Basically, the GOP cutting out the Tea Party nuts and trying to attract the "Reagan Democrat" to replace them.

At least that's my sense of how they position themselves.