Americans Elect Bonafide Involvement?

[dynasaw]

Could DUers check the validity of this movement that purports the following:

"record levels of disapproval with both parties, with Congress, with institutions generally.

And what we have seen in our research is that solid majorities of the American people support the idea of an online
nominating convention and support the idea of offering people a choice and to give them a voice. . .

there's the obvious technological innovations that are occurring with the website. There's also a real political innovation that's occurring. And that is, this is the first time there will be 50-state ballot access for a ticket to be directly nominated by the American people.

So, when you come to AmericansElect.org and become a delegate, you will be interacting in a process that is flattening our political system. And we're taking what have traditionally been the functions of the parties and we're making them the functions of the delegates.

So, as a delegate, you can draft a candidate, you can help develop a platform of questions the candidates have to answer. And you can also be involved with the discussion and debate surrounding the rules of the convention, so ultimately taking party functions and making them delegate functions."

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec11/thirdparty_08-22.html

http://www.americanselect.org/about

[Renew Deal]

1. It's valid, the question is where will it end up.

They plan to use people power to get a candidate on the ballots and in the debates. If a legitimate candidate gets picked, and selects a legitimate VP, then they will do damage in the election. If they nominate Matt Damon and make Micheal Moore his VP, then it will be a fruitless joke.

I suspect that they will get a fairly legitimate candidate. The question is what party will that person be from. I have a fear that no matter who is picked, Obama will be attacked from the left because of his support of the banks and other issues.

[JHB]

2. How bonafide would you consider a group that doesn't say who they are on their web page?

Who runs it? Who's their press contact? Where are their offices?
Not easy to find, if at all, on their website.
No faces.


A major backer is Peter Ackerman.

(From a New Yorker article form last October):

One key factor, now as three years ago, is Bloomberg’s ability to get onto the ballot nationwide. Thus are Sheekey and others eagerly monitoring a new outfit called Americans Elect, which plans to launch early next year. Backed by a wealthy private investor, Peter Ackerman, the group says on its single-page website that it intends to hold a web-based convention to nominate a “balanced presidential ticket that will bridge the vital center of American public opinion” and place it “on the ballot in all 50 states.” Ackerman has already put $1.55 million into the project, with more to come.

http://nymag.com/news/politics/69130/

Ackerman is was the right-hand man to "junk bond king" Michael Miliken, and a hedge fund manager. Among his activities is being on the advisory board for the CATO Institute's Project on Social Security.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Peter_Ackerman

Sourcewatch page on Amercans Elect: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Americans_Elect_2012

Capital A astroturf, funded by a guy who is part of the problem.