March 7, 2004

Stumbling Ahead with Flawed Political Process

Now that "Stupor" Tuesday has come and gone, Americans can get down to the business of picking wings off flies. Make that George W. Bush and John F. Kerry.

Their initials are haunting and perhaps fitting in reflecting ideologies.

Voters are relieved that the presidential primaries are over for all practical purposes. President Bush is the de facto Republican candidate by virtue of office. Sen. Kerry seems to have prevailed for Democrats.

Until Nov. 2, we will suffer a deluge of alleged faults of candidates.  

It seems like forever since Democrats focused on a torchbearer Jan. 19 at Iowa. Iowans conducted a cockamamie "caucus" rather than a true, party election.

Partisans simply gathered one evening at precinct meeting places – generally schools. They discussed candidates then lined up in discrete groups to be counted.

Sounds very democratic (small d) but get this quote from official instructions: "Both parties may allow participants to register, update their registration, or change party on caucus night."

Except for a second place in South Carolina by Sen. John Edwards, Kerry swept all other primaries. There goes a Democratic South.

So far, Kerry has pocketed 1,151 delegates to the Democratic National Convention at Boston July 26. To win the presidential nomination on the first ballot, Kerry needs 2,162 delegates.

Inasmuch as all viable candidates have withdrawn from the Democratic race, Kerry probably is a shoo-in for nomination.

However, that contest could go into a "brokered" convention if he gets hit with an "X-factor." An unforeseen glitch that plagues most campaigns in the final weeks before conventions, or election day.

Kerry might get only 2,161 delegates going into convention – thus requiring a second ballot.

Canny delegations would nominate a "favorite son" – usually their governor -- to stalk Kerry. "We will withdraw in return for a juicy concession."

All Democratic primary candidates – principally Dean, Edwards and Lieberman – have some delegates that could be brokered in a pinch.

What suggests a possible long shot is the 10 states that conduct "open" primaries. These allow voters not affiliated with a political party to participate in the selection process.

In addition, dedicated members of one party are allowed to cross over and vote for a vulnerable candidate of the other party. .

This is a sophisticated tactic, but it can be decisive when one party has an incumbent president.

Those statesmen who crafted the U.S. Constitution understood the shortcomings of political "factions." They tried to avoid them with an Electoral College to choose presidents, and with elections of U.S. senators by state legislatures.

Only the House of Representatives—with control of Federal purse strings – was to be chosen by popular vote.

These checks on public enthusiasm were jettisoned quickly. Electors announced their party loyalties prior to their own election.

Thus, political "clubs" chose electoral candidates whom you really vote for. Do you know where your electors are tonight?

Political leaders jockeyed for advantages in the privacy of "smoke-filled rooms." Professionals made the decisions.

Starting in 1903, many legislatures enacted primary elections laws to curb party "bosses." The Constitution’s 17th Amendment, adopted in 1913, established a popular referendum for senators.

The Supreme Court in 1947 struck down the vestiges of the "private club" concept. It held 5-4 that political parties are a "public service" subject to regulation, and that their choosing process should be subsidized with public monies.

It is unlikely that we will return to the original intent of the Constitution. Political parties have become immortal – locked into regulation and protectionism. Congress tinkers with remedies that hopefully will take out the sting but leave the swelling.

Populists cling to the ancient Greek notion that everybody should vote on everything.  

Yet, the world has become heavily populated, diverse and opinionated. Television and radio have placed powerful tools in the hands of charismatic power seekers.

Too many people want something for nothing. So-called "independent" voters lead the pack.

They don’t contribute their time and treasure to good government but want the same privileges as those who do.  

In truth, independents are totally dependent on activist party workers for choices.

Today’s political parties are beset by media partisans, pollsters, spin masters, fund raisers and spell binders.

Can thought police be far behind?

Lindsey Williams is a Sun columnist who can be reached at linwms@lindseywilliams.org