On the Primaries

This blogger wrote a very good post about the primary system (most likely in response to Republican crossover votes in Texas). Her concern is the ability of a member of one party to cross over and vote in the opposing party's primary. I agree with her concerns on this issue, but I think that this is a narrow way to look at the issue. The problem with primaries is the way the entire system is done. Instead of a "season" of various elections, there should be ONE election. Let's call it "Primary Day." It should be held in the summer, after school is out but not too late as to shorten the general election campaign.

The benefits of this would be amazing.

First off, small states with particularized constituencies (NH is a liberal state, even the Republicans there are "liberal") would not be able to "set the tone" for the entire season.

The next benefit would be allowing potential candidates TIME to make their case. A primary is a chance for party members to decide who they want to be their applicant for the country's top job. Candidates like Ron Paul, Dennis Kuccinich, Rudy Giuliani and Joe Biden didn't really have a chance to impress anyone- they were all eliminated prior to the infamous "Super Tuesday" (Ron Paul never had a realistic shot after Super Tuesday).

Candidates would be forced to vett out the issues under this new system. Honestly, how much of the primary campaigns do you think voters pay attention to? Do you think PA is actually looking at Ron Paul as a viable candidate right now? Do you think PA Republicans are even going to turn out (and if they do, vote for anyone other than McCain)? Candidates wouldn't be able to bombard a district a week before a primary w/ targeted ads, mailings, inflammatory ads (and underhanded tactics) that play on the political fear/issue du jour. They would be forced to talk about the real issues a President would face and present THEIR vision for the country. The popular vote in primaries was supposed to eliminate the political maneuvering of the old convention days, the current system has just modernized it and created a whole new class of elites (consultants) that basically determine who gets the nomination.

And maybe, just maybe, politics would become LESS partisan- something that needs to happen in this country sooner, rather than later. Liberal states like NH can still pick liberal candidates and conservative states will stick pick their conservative candidates, but neither will get to "set the tone" and force their preference upon the entire country (through the media attention the winners of Iowa and NH get [Huckawhosawhaty?]).

Conventions would become interesting, especially if the results were tight. This would force COMPROMISE among different sections of the party (Huckabee/McCain vs. McCain/Huckabee) and would give the candidates of the respective parties clear ideas of what the entire party's landscape looks like.

And most importantly, everyone would get a fair shot. From Ron Paul to Kuccinich. An ill-timed yelp (AIIIIIEEEEE!) after one disappointing loss in an early primary will no longer de-rail an admirable candidate. People with passionate views on politics can be ACTIVE members of public life. Views will be discussed, policies debated- all among the common people. The media and the talking heads' role would be diminished (even if slightly).

Pipe dream? Probably. But what else am I supposed to do in my break between classes?