Thursday, March 20, 2008

Intersting Idea from Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredensen

A Superdelegate primary.
We are blessed with two fine candidates, but it’s entirely possible that when primary season ends on June 3, we will still lack a clear nominee. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton could each still believe that the nomination could be his or hers at the national convention in Denver in August.

In that situation, we would then face a long summer of brutal and unnecessary warfare. We would face a summer of growing polarization. And we would face a summer of lost opportunities — lost opportunities to heal the wounds of the primaries, to fill the party’s coffers, to offer unified Democratic ideas for America’s challenges.

If we do nothing, we’ll of course still have a nominee by Labor Day. But if he or she is the nominee of a party that is emotionally exhausted and divided with only two months to go before Election Day, it could be a Pyrrhic victory.

Here’s what our party should do: schedule a superdelegate primary. In early June, after the final primaries, the Democratic National Committee should call together our superdelegates in a public caucus.
I have to admit, the idea makes sense and does get away from the brutality and teh secrecy behind superdelegate support. The courting of superdelegates is done in secret, with lots of backroom deals and promises made. This solution is public and immediate.

Of course, it is also common sensical, so you can almost be sure the Democrats won't do it.

Hat Tip: The Instapundit.

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