If the herd must be culled to avoid overgrazing the question time, why not do it using a weighted random lottery, with the individual weighting factors being proportional to a candidates averaged polling percentages since the last debate. If there are 12 candidates and 6 slots, there will be 6 random drawings. A candidate can only win once, so the next drawing will only have 11 contestants and the odds are recalculated to match the new relative strengths of the field. And so on, with drawing for the next 4,3,2,1 slots. Anybody can win a place, but the stronger your polls, the more likely you'll get a berth. This nicely gets around the notch problem, where one or two percentage points might determine a winner from a loser. Dark horses can have interesting ideas, and some will likely creep through....if not in this "debate" then maybe next, as candidates prosper or pull out, or fickle fate intervenes.

The best feature is the drawing process, which should be conducted on air, with beautiful people doing the drawing. Just like your State Lotto. In fact, why not combine the two. Viewers can place their bets on favored horse...or a trifecta and such for higher payoffs. TV ratings would skyrocket! The kid's college money is riding on this! That might actually get decent viewership for the debates, which in theory ought to be good in a country with representative government.

Shocking, not really. Clinton hobnobs with the rich and famous and there are plenty of scoundrels in the R&F demographic. So far as I know, Scoundrel is not always tattooed on the back of their necks. All I see in the media reports so far is guilt by association. That's a start, but you don't have any more than that until you can show Clinton bribed FIFA (quid pro quo), FIFA bribed Clinton or Clinton misappropriated funds donated by FIFA, and such like. Oh, I forgot, the Clinton has to be Hillary to obtain effective stickage (new word).

Political mud slinging is an American Political Tradition, but it has a much lower bar than the law, or even accounting. Used car sales is probably close. Mud slinging persists because it can credibly pass for truth longer than the shelf life of canned tuna.

Hang in there Michale, where there is a wire, there is hope. I'm still holding out for an evidentiary anvil to hit Chris Christie. Until then, it boils down to taste, strength of stomach and the Lesser of Two Lizards Political Principle.

Shocking... iddn't it?? :D

Michale

Not really off-topic because the Clintons are up to their eyeballs in the FIFA scandal/corruption...

Michale

Is Pataki angling for VP slot? Bush has to veer right to win the primaries, Pataki brings moderation to the ticket and adds North to South. If you're looking to follow in Teddy's footsteps, VP follows governor. On the other hand, Pataki's strict gun control stance suggests he's not totally relying on history repeating itself.

I have to admit, I would really have to think about that... :D

Michale

Good luck with that. :D

"Yer old Mother Hubbard and only VAUGHN'S in the cupboard!!"
-Randy Quaid, MAJOR LEAGUE II

:D

Michale

Cool. I hope we have an actual alternative to Hillary, who would have a better chance in the general campaign.