Isn't that how Sarah Palin was nominated?

Mentat: Isn't that how Sarah Palin was nominated?

Yes, but they only streamed the show into the colons of geriatric fundamentalists.

I'd bet the end result would be pretty much the same as our current system. No better, no worse.

I think there's a show like that in Germany, where they pick potential Chancellors or something like that.

Anyway, there could be an Apprentice-like show that takes young people who want to get into public servants and have them compete for the people's votes. It could be kind of interesting.

But only if PBS produces it.

I don't think it could be any worse than what we have. Better, if hacking were controllable.

Damn right it would be successful and we probably couldn't do any worse than we have the past 20 years or so.

I'm all for a system where we get to vote politicians off the island.

This is the worst idea yet. Let's just behead a chicken like on South Park.

Um, did you watch the election coverage at all, subby? That's exactly what the US has now.

RON PAUL

nugz4lunch: RON PAUL

I could see something like votefortheworst.com playing hell with such a show too haha

Worst idea ever. It is already too much of a popularity contest, this fool wants to make it more so? People have to have society almost collapse to actually look at issues that matter instead of ZOMG TEH GAYZ ARE GUNNA END OPOSITE MARRAGE!!1!

I just say we abolish the position of the presidency. Let the executive branch be run without a president.

Exactly who we should have picking the nominee: TV producers.

Opiate of the Lasses: Um, did you watch the election coverage at all, subby? That's exactly what the US has now.

I agree completely. The candidates all appear on episodes (officially called "debates") and over the course of these debates the candidates drop out one by one due to lack of money. Then we end up with 2 candidates in which we pick one on the season finale (election day).

It's exactly the same as a reality show. They backstab and berate each other as the show goes on but in the end they have always been friends and some of the losers end up becoming cabinet members.

Will there be a swimsuit competition?

HamSlammer: The candidates all appear on episodes (officially called "debates") and over the course of these debates the candidates drop out one by one due to lack of money.

There were debates?

I remember a bunch of collective press conferences, but I don't remember any debates ...

Rupert Murdoch tried to make a show exactly like this a few years ago. It never got off the ground.

American Candidate (new window)

Opiate of the Lasses: Um, did you watch the election coverage at all, subby? That's exactly what the US has now.

THIS!

America even has two tribes competing against each other. Members of the two tribes compete to win the viewing public, state by state. Then, after several elimination rounds, the final two compete for the national prize.

Luckily for the final two, they are able to select one, previously voted-out tribe member to be their assistant for the final challenges, which involve feats of strength, style and memory, and three prime-time competitions that the audience can vote on. Various celebrities are brought in to judge the performances. Finally, America votes for the candidate who seems most like a regular guy they could have a beer with (a woman has yet to win this contest.)

I'm not sure if I understand how watching months of campaign commercials and debates is different from watching months of reality tv.

Yeah, celebrities make great politicians. Just look at California with Arnold at the helm.

Only if they would do it Fear Factor style.

Kome: I'd bet the end result would be pretty much the same as our current system. No better, no worse.

I would say it would be much better than the dynastic families that have been running the show for the last 150 years.

Can we please get the remnants of the Roman Empire OUT of our government already?

/I'm looking at YOU Scalia!

... because the entertainers reality television shows have picked are all top notch.

It's not the election system thats broken, it's the shortage of quality leaders to choose from.

Kurt Vonnegut had it right with "Harrison Bergeron"

Just call someone randomly on the phone. Thats how they picked the next governor of Ohio.

"Congratulations Mrs Jacoby, youre the new Governor of Ohio."
"Huh, how bout that. Harold! Im the new Governor of Ohio!"
"Thats great dear!"

/okay, wasnt in book, but was in tv movie adaptation which KV helped produce.

They'll need a panel of 5 judges - Simon from American Idol, Bill Clinton, George Bush Sr. (Bush The Mediocre, not Bush The Terrible), Jessica Alba, and either Shemp Manning (brother of Peyton and Eli) or that guy Ron that he was Metallica's bassist before they hired Cliff. That's the only way it'll work.

We could end up with Puck as teh POTUS.

Dym: Rupert Murdoch tried to make a show exactly like this a few years ago. It never got off the ground.

American Candidate (new window)

No, it got off the ground. Just on Showtime. And it was horrendous. I see Keith Boykin on CNBC and can't take him seriously because he was involved in that.

Jon or Kate?

America Decides.

Mentat: Isn't that how Sarah Palin was nominated?

Now it takes a true, Kool-Aid drinking Farklib to go for the Palin joke after we just elected a president with the thinnest resume in history, based upon how he looked, sounded and made his supporters feel -- and because he was so much different than The Bad Guys.

Sounds like reality TV plotlines to me.


Your house, it is made of glass. Unhand that stone.

Kome: I'd bet the end result would be pretty much the same as our current system. No better, no worse.

Bingo! We'd still have an unqualified junior senator that has never held a job, in the whitehouse!

holmer: Kome: I'd bet the end result would be pretty much the same as our current system. No better, no worse.

Bingo! We'd still have an unqualified junior senator that has never held a job, in the whitehouse!

Anyone who says I'm wrong, will you please list all the good things that Obama has done.

That's pretty much how the 2000 election was decided, with the SCOTUS voting Gore off the island.

/Got pretty good ratings, even though the sequel sucked

torch: I don't think it could be any worse than what we have. Better, if hacking were controllable.

The hacking is controllable now. It's just that you and I are not the ones in control.

holmer: Anyone who says I'm wrong, will you please list all the good things that Obama has done.


I am no Obama fan, but I like that he is doing more with stem cells, and he stopped raiding the medical mary jane facilities.

That is about it.

Oh and he has mostly kept Bush/Cheney security policies in place.


That is about it.

Since he does not know what he is doing, I think that is not bad.

Gangway Fathead: It's not the election system thats broken, it's the shortage of quality leaders to choose from.

No, actually it's the system. Anyone who might be qualified couldn't possibly be corrupt enough to become prominent.

lilbjorn: Gangway Fathead: It's not the election system thats broken, it's the shortage of quality leaders to choose from.

No, actually it's the system. Anyone who might be qualified couldn't possibly be corrupt enough to become prominent.

QFT

Phil Herup: holmer: Anyone who says I'm wrong, will you please list all the good things that Obama has done.


I am no Obama fan, but I like that he is doing more with stem cells, and he stopped raiding the medical mary jane facilities.

That is about it.

Oh and he has mostly kept Bush/Cheney security policies in place.


That is about it.

Since he does not know what he is doing, I think that is not bad.

Serious question: Which presidents would you say "knew what they were doing"? I think one man's prepared president is another man's agenda-driven ideologue.

Take Bush-Cheney: They accomplished a lot of their goals, but I doubt anyone outside of the rabid 25 percent would ever say they knew WTF they were doing.

Phil Herup: We could end up with Puck as teh POTUS.

Puck needs to be slapped and shot.

Rug Doctor: Take Bush-Cheney: They accomplished a lot of their goals, but I doubt anyone outside of the rabid 25 percent would ever say they knew WTF they were doing.


Cheney knew exactly WTF he was doing.

You know that is true as well as anyone.


I do realize that your statement is a true on in regards that it is a learn on the job type of thing... but IMHO Obama is very unprepared to be an executive, and this is not the place to experiment with that concept.

Phil Herup: holmer: Anyone who says I'm wrong, will you please list all the good things that Obama has done.


I am no Obama fan, but I like that he is doing more with stem cells, and he stopped raiding the medical mary jane facilities.

That is about it.

Oh and he has mostly kept Bush/Cheney security policies in place.


That is about it.

Since he does not know what he is doing, I think that is not bad.

I understand you, should I medicate myself with more than bourbon?

At least it would democratic.

Best election ever was the Davis Post-Recall Governor Election.

Open the flood gates, open the floodgates.

holmer: I understand you, should I medicate myself with more than bourbon?


Yes.

What have you got?

Good luck.... we're all counting on you.

Opiate of the Lasses: Um, did you watch the election coverage at all, subby? That's exactly what the US has now.

Yea. I guess subby didn't watch TV between, say, Jan 2005 and Nov 2008.

Thats what im talkin bout.

Fatal flaw: the contestants on TV reality shows are screened by producers prior to the competition, and selected based on who has the most entertainment potential, and can therefore make them the most money from ad sales and merchandising opportunities -- NOT based on who is best equipped to excel in the competition and assume the duties and responsibilities associated with victory.

I'm not saying the same is untrue of our current campaign system.