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Originally Posted by chizz  I honestly favor 50 states, one day. I also favor complete public funding (only for primaries) and scrapping the delegate system completely. I say that the overall, nationwide popular vote should be the only determining factor for the primary. That way big states and little states will count, and public funding will allow lesser known candidates to compete on a more equal playing field all the way through the primary date. This seems the most democratic option to me, but unfortunately the Democratic party is only a name and not a reality. |
I agree there needs to be an overhaul, but I'm not sure if a 50-state/1-day super election based on popular vote is it. The candidates would really only need to campaign in the major cities and big states, screw small state America. That means most states would never see a presidential candidate. That parity between states is the logic between the delegate system and part of the logic of keeping the electoral college.
A 1-day primary might be a good idea, if delegates are kept. I would also strip the parties of their control over the planning of primaries, and give it all to the FEC. Parties can decide how many delegates a state gets (and the formulae for that need to be re-done), but no party should ever be able to dictate to a state how or when to schedule an election, ESPECIALLY if it is the state that is forking over the dough. If the parties want to fund, in its entirety, the primary system, then fine, let them control it ( not bloodly likely).
I think the caucus system needs to be scrapped, since it does not reflect the method of selection in the general election. Likewise, the primaries in non-states (Guam, Puerto Rico, Dems Abroad) need to be scrapped. While those places and people ARE impacted by the American president, they will either not get a vote in the general election, or their vote will be included in one of the 50 states.
Finally, the Dems need to scrap proportional representation in the primaries, unless the Electoral College goes to proportional (again, not bloody likely!).
Ultimately, the idea behind the primaries is to pick the best candidate for the general election ... so why use a system that doesn't resemble the general election?