Dean's weekly column for Cagle: "Are Political Conventions Necessary?"

[madfloridian]

http://caglecartoons.com/previewColumn.asp?columnID={F9DCFB0F-C5C2-4C30-A49F-E09A56E234E8}

SNIP..."As the Democratic Convention begins this week, followed by the Republicans’ in September, journalists who are bored with the scripted proceedings will write opinion pieces about behind-the-scenes dealings which may or may not be going on and will raise questions about why conventions are even newsworthy. ..."

SNIP..."First the process is still too closed. While Independents can vote in a few primaries, they ought to be able to vote in all primaries, choosing between the Republican and Democratic primaries in each state, but not, of course, voting in both. The effect will be to get a nominee who can appeal to the largest group of American voters, those who identify with neither party.

Second, we ought to use instant runoff voting first in primaries. Instant runoff voting asks people to rank candidates in order of preference. In elections where there are multiple candidates, winners frequently emerge with vote totals in the 20 – 40 percent range. Being allowed to specify a second choice if your candidate does not finish in the top two will consolidate the vote and build consensus....."

More at the link.