A Reason-Rupe poll in August showed that 72 percent of voters would consider an alternate candidate; an American Pulse poll last month showed that 58 percent don't think that the two-party system represents their interests.
So, Americans Elect has drawn 2.1 million signatures, raised $22 million toward a $30 million goal and plans to be on ballots in all 50 states.
To what could it lead?
Who knows? Names popping up include New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former N.J. Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, a member of the Americans Elect board. Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer, denied spots in GOP debates, says that he's running for the online nod.
Who could it hurt?
"It's so interesting," says Americans Elect press secretary Ileana Wachtel. "Opinions split down the middle: Some liberal media say it ruins Obama, some conservative media say it spoils it for Republicans."
There's no way to tell without a candidate. Although Ross Perot hurt Republican George H.W. Bush in '92, and Ralph Nader hurt Democrat Al Gore in 2000, a centrist, bipartisan ticket could hurt both parties.
Younger and independent-minded voters with no party loyalty could produce a ticket in a method that some suggest resembles "American Idol."
Can it really happen?
Americans Elect is now on ballots in 10 states, including Florida and Ohio, and efforts are under way in a dozen more, including Maryland.
The group's coming here next year, according to Wachtel, who notes that Pennsylvania election law doesn't allow nominating papers to be filed yet. But once a ticket is picked, Americans Elect has until Aug. 1 to collect roughly 20,540 signatures to make the state's general-election ballot.
Because Pennsylvania's unfriendly to independents, that's 10 times the requirement for Republican and Democratic presidential contenders, who need only 2,000 signatures.
