Yeah, I remember these too. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying "Hey, an independent candidate is a good idea." or even "OWS should get an independent candidate." I'm just looking at the state of things, and I'm getting the notion that this is how things might play out considering the circumstances.

I'm also not predicting a win for this candidate. I'm just predicting that he/she could be a game-changer, and yes, probably not in a good way for Obama.

Personally speaking, I was dismayed at what happened with Nader and Gore in 2000. I had a few Nader-loving friends, and considering GWB, I thought it to be bad timing for a protest vote. That, and as a scientist, I was pretty excited about a Gore Presidency. Of course, maybe my friends were right, considering Clinton signing Glass-Steagall, etc., but I don't think that the Nader supporters I knew were that savvy or prescient. However, this time around, I don't see such a stark difference between Romney and Obama as between Gore and Bush. I know that those Naderites would be more than happy to make a protest vote this time around, and in this case, I don't personally think the timing is that bad.

But, my personal politics aside, I'm just saying that I think that there's good reason why an independent candidate could be a big player in this election. Herman Cain is a thorn in Romney's (and the GOP's) side right now? Both parties are trying to wrangle some serious discontent.