How to best shorten the nomination/election process in the US?

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Lancer
In 20 words or less, what do you do?

Let me guess. Nomination is by the party leadership. Then the regular folks vote for the candidates selected by the variuos parties.

[Seedle]

Instead of shortening it, just make it less visible. Ban political ads on radio and tv. If people want to learn about you they have to *gasp* read. This has many benefits: campaigns don't cost as much money, because you aren't paying for commercials, (though, admittedly, the increase in printed materials will swallow some of that savings.) campaigns won't be as obnoxious, because you will actively have to seek them out, and it will hopefully increase the level of political discourse, since those who are too lazy to read will be out of the loop.

[Garth Vader]

Originally posted by Zkribbler


Let me guess. Nomination is by the party leadership. Then the regular folks vote for the candidates selected by the variuos parties.

That's under 20 words

We also have public funding, but I don't know that much about how that works. But from announcement to election is like 3 weeks, which is short and sweet

[Zkribbler]

BTW: Palin's campaign to get the Republican nomination for President in 2012 will commense on Nov. 5, 2008.

[Seedle]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
BTW: Palin's campaign to get the Republican nomination for President in 2012 will commense on Nov. 5, 2008.

Don't jinx it.

But assuming she does try to run at some point for the presidency, I hope she is the nominee. She's managing to sink this ticket as the VP, I can't imagine how poorly she'd do as the main attraction.

[Arrian]

It's not worth the risk, Seedle. Yeah, she would probably lose... but the small chance of total disaster (President Palin) isn't worth it.

-Arrian

[Seedle]

Originally posted by Arrian
It's not worth the risk, Seedle. Yeah, she would probably lose... but the small chance of total disaster (President Palin) isn't worth it.

-Arrian

Good point.

[rah]

Every time I hear "PALIN in 2012" I have to laugh, but then I read it was suggested by her supporters. I think it's ok to let those delusional people have their dreams.

[Lancer]

She's going to show herself as a true fiscal conservative.

[-Jrabbit]

I have shortened the electoral season by voting early.

Now I can ignore all the crap until it's over.

[Lancer]

Yup, we voted already as well.

Over a year of BS and all we get is one night's entertainment. Also its only really interesting if its close.

[Maniac]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
With a compressed election process, candidates will need to have all their money up front. This means either: (a) the candidate must be very wealthy so he/she can finance his/her own campaign, or (b) the candidate must sell out early to as many special interest groups as possible in order to obtain the necessary cash.

(c) public funding; candidates can't use and accept private money.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by rah
Anything to shorten it. And let's force the candidates to do the public funding. The amout of money OBAMA is wasting every day could be providing health care or food to a lot of poor people.

The way to do it would be to make public funding the sole source of election money, and then limit the campaign season to six weeks. If they can't spend any money until six weeks before the election, that would pretty much kill the permanent campaign.

[Lancer]

You just doubled it from my proposed 3 weeks.

[chequita guevara]

Three weeks isn't really long enough.