This whole election process takes too damned long.

[DemVet]

Most campaigns in other countries for their national leader takes 4-6 weeks.

The entire primary season needs to be shortened down to ONE DAY...everyone in the country votes for the candidate of their choice, either party, at the same time. One person...one vote. This way nobody can vote for the other party to influence who their candidate is (ala Rush Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos"), and no "pile on" voting occurs...voting for the candidate in the lead.

The candidates are then chosen. Hell, we could even have a system where the top two candidates in terms of votes, even if they are from the same party, go on the ballot for POTUS.

Each party can then have a convention if they wish, but it's really not necessary because the two candidates have already been chosen. The campaign season then lasts from 4-6 weeks. People vote...a President is chosen.

Any questions?

[guyanakoolaid]

1. I agree

Also - all primaries (and caucuses if we can't get rid of them) on the same day. Enough of states jockeying for better position, they all get equal say on the same day.

[DemVet]

2. Exactly.

[mmonk]

3. Well it is the longest isn't it?

It started way too early.

[DangerDave921]

4. Half right

It's not the primaries that go on too long; it's the pre-primary running for office that goes on for a good year or more before the first vote is even cast!

I'm actually in favor of restricting the time-frame during which a person is allowed to declare for office and engage in campaigning. Hard to define what that consists of, I know. And some would say it's a restriction of free speech. But man -- a whole year of campaign speeches, sound bytes, pandering, empty promises, chicken dinners, fund raisers, etc. It's insane.

I would think we could do the whole thing --- announce for office, run for office, hold primaries, and a GE all in one calendar year.