Third-Party Group Wants Internet to Pick Presidential Candidate

Wachtel is optimistic that the movement will gain momentum after credible candidates become affiliated with the party. She believes if the group can garner enough support in 2012 to automatically qualify for ballots in 2014 and 2016, the effort will have been a success.

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"If someone who is credible announces [a candidacy], I think you're going to see people flooding to that candidate at this point," she says. "If we can make a difference, run a credible candidate, get on the 50 states and have that ballot access remain in 2014 and 2016 and start to change the way we engage in politics, that is successful."

Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer, who until recently was running for the Republican presidential nomination, announced this week he would seek the Americans Elect nomination. Those interested in becoming candidates or drafting nominees can do so on the group's homepage.

Nominees already featured on the site range from Ron Paul to former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who recently dropped out of the Republican race, to one of the most liberal members of Congress, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, along with New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

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Email: rmetzler@usnews.com

Twitter: @rebekahmetzler

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