Would Mitt Romney Have Been Better Off Running as the Americans Elect Nominee?

Last year, top leaders of Americans Elect tried very hard to persuade Mitt Romney to seek the Americans Elect nomination. If Romney had done so, obviously he would have won that nomination. His campaign could then have presented him as an independent-minded centrist, and his stands on issues in this year’s presidential election would probably have been consistent with the values he expressed when he ran for U.S. Senate in 1994 and when he was elected Governor in 2002.

As the Americans Elect nominee, he would have looked courageous and innovative. Because he is so wealthy, and because he has many wealthy backers, his campaign could have been financially competitive with the two major party nominees.

Arizona Top-Two Initiative Overwhelmingly Defeated

With 37% of the Arizona vote counted, Proposition 121 is being defeated by 33.6% to 66.4%. This is the measure to convert Arizona elections to the top-two system. The outcome here is very similar to the 2008 Oregon results, when top-two was defeated 34%-66%, even though almost all daily newspapers in Oregon had endorsed it. The big newspapers in Arizona had also endorsed it. Here is a brief news story about the Arizona outcome.

Michigan Daily Newspaper Endorses Gary Johnson Even Though He is a Write-in Candidate in that State

The Adrian, Michigan daily newspaper, the Daily Telegram, endorsed Gary Johnson for President, even though Michigan voters must cast a write-in vote for him. The title of the editorial acknowledges Johnson’s write-in status. Adrian is the county seat of Lenawee County, on the Ohio border. Thanks to Uncovered Poltics for this news.