My totally unscientific prediction is...

[saltpoint]

37. The GOP fat-cat power broker types

who want an alternative party are going to need a ticket.

I don't think ballot access will be anything other than a headache for them... they can do it if they get their butts in gear, hire the right lawyers in each state, and mount a full-court press. Getting late, but still doable.

Money also is not going to be a problem. The aforementioned fat-cats have more money than they know what to do with. There isn't going to be a money problem.

But they have to decide quickly that they're going ahead with it. Sand's slipping thru the hourglass at a fast rate.

They'll have to forge a ticket. A lot of Republicans won't undertake an effort like this. But a good number will. The fat-cats are offering power and glory -- and they're picking up the tab.

And even if they lose the election, they've shoved the far Right off the train and have positioned themselves for control in subsequent cycles.

If they want to do this, they can.