by Samuilovna

Created on: March 27, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

I suggest a show called "Who Wants to be the American President?" Imagine something like Miss America meets The Apprentice. The man on the street would have the option of trying out, and a panel of political consultants would select the contestants-with the interviews streaming on the show's website, so nobody could accuse them of working behind closed doors.

Then the fun would really begin. We'd watch as the contestants tried to demonstrate their leadership ability, their knowledge of the issues, and their diplomatic skills. There would be a number we could call to vote for our favorites at the end of each episode. Think American Idol. (Just to nip a possible criticism in the bud, I'd like to state that the voting scandals surrounding American Idol are no worse than the voting scandals surrounding the last two presidential elections.) At the end of the season, one candidate would stand tall as the show's winner, and the second runner-up would take the place of vice presidential candidate.

I for one would watch this show. Just imagine how entertaining it would be. I don't think anyone would make the candidates eat worms, but they would have to jump through hoops and prove themselves. We'd actually get to know them, not just their party line.

And those viewers who forgot most everything they learned about American government in school would get a nice refresher course. Who knows? This may even increase the proportion of eligible voters who go out and vote.

This show would help fund the winning ticket's political campaign, and provide them (presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate) with the political consultants, speech writers, etc. they would need. These two would travel across America campaigning for office, just like the Democratic and Republican candidates. A good campaign would get their names on the ballot's of most of the states. Then they would truly stand a chance against the establishment candidates. The rest would be up to the average American voter.

If the show's winning ticket actually won, they wouldn't owe their office to political favors, but to the American public. Of course this would mean the president would be able to nominate people for high positions based on merit, not bribery-Oops. I mean connections. Why his/her Cabinet may actually consist of Democrats and Republicans who're experts in their fields.

If the president and the vice president happened to have different leanings (one Democratic and one Republican), the willingness to listen with an open mind, and the ability to compromise, think of what they would be able to accomplish. One could work on the Democrats while the other talked to the Republicans, and things would actually get done in Washington. What a dream!

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