New York Magazine

Skip to content, or skip to search.

Skip to content, or skip to search.

early and often

Americans Elect Flirts With Olympia Snowe

WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 13:  Senate Finance Committee member Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) talks with reporters before the committee is set to vote on health care reform legislation on Capitol Hill October 13, 2009 in Washington, DC. Snowe has not tipped her hand about which way she will vote on the groundbreaking legislation but some believe she may be the only Republican to support the bill.  (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Olympia Snow President Snowe?

While Olympia Snowe's sudden, surprise departure from the Senate — even for her own staffers, who only had a few hours notice — and her statement alluding to "unique opportunities" to "find solutions that unite rather than divide us" certainly seemed like a nod to Americans Elect, Ileana Wachtel, a spokesman for the centrist group, told us this morning that Snowe hasn't had any discussions with them about running for president. That's not to say Americans Elect wouldn't be interested."We admire her statement and courage in speaking the truth and taking a stand against the current state of gridlock in Washington," Wachtel told us over email, "and urging those in power to come together to govern with civility." Minutes later, Americans Elect tweeted out this message: "So @jonathanchait thinks #OlympiaSnowe may want to support us: http://ow.ly/9mDYG How about it @SenatorSnowe? #snowe #crashtheparty."

0
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images