There are few inevitabilities in American politics, but one that can increasingly be relied upon is the quadrennial call for a non-partisan, third-party presidential ticket that will put country ahead of party and "end the gridlock in Washington". Four years ago, it was Unity 08, which failed to get on the presidential ballot, and this year's version of this political pipe dream is the organization Americans Elect, which is publicly agitating for "a presidential ticket that answers directly to voters – not the political system". Somehow, this is supposed to stand in contrast to the current nominating system, which appears to rely pretty heavily on the will of voters.