Presidential Primaries: Why We Need a Better Way to Pick Nominees

The presidential primary here in Michigan is a joke. It is an open primary set up so that you may vote for one or the other party, but not vote for the best choice within each. Thus, crossover voting to sabotage the other side is encouraged and true voter preference is clouded. Why should taxpayers foot the bill for party selections in primaries at all? The parties are not the government, and it is their job to field desirable, competent, honest, and qualified candidates of integrity.

Being from New Hampshire, I would gladly give up our first in the nation primary status. Maybe Iwoans know what it is like, but I cannot stand the 12 months of calls and mail related to the candidates, the political signs everywhere, etc.. It is a royal P. I. T. A. To the people in states that want to be first, be careful what you wish for, as it grows old real fats.

Something definitely has to be done about how we vote in primaries and in voting for a candidate picked from the primaries. The way this country is handling it's politics is atrocious. I am surprised that the politicians don't think about doing something..We have to start over.

Perhaps we should give all candidates an SAT type test to see if they are actually competant to hold the office much like college admission. And just like registering to vote or drive a car you must present a birth certificate. Medical records are important to make sure you are healthy. This could disqualify certain candidates before we waste anytime considering them or heavens forbid actually electing them.

What this article is really saying is, "How did the media and establishment political operatives allow the process of chosing presidential political candidates fall into the hands of the people? WE used to pick the candidates and WE want to pick them this time too! Forget all those peons out there in America! THEY continue to refuse to follow our advice for chosing a nice RINO or even a solid left wing candidate for their right wing party!"

I like the idea of a regional nominating system, preferably with the regions representing an equitable number of voters. It is very frustrating to sit here in the most populace state and watch as states with total populations smaller than our counties tell us who we can vote for for president.
It would also work well for us if the process weren't dragged out for more than a year. People tire of the process, both candidates and voters. It's not like the candidates can't reach the entire country simultaneously... traveling back and forth .. adjusting their speeches to fit the desires of one area or another... it's unseemly.

My fellow Iowans who are of voting age, need to become more familiar with the choices given them. During a recent republican town hall meeting in Iowa, three quarters of those in attendance had no idea if President Obama was a Christian, but instead thought he was a Muslim or member of the Islam faith. It may also be a reach, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if some of them were "birthers," who believe the president is not a US naturalized citizen. Think about it - would the Chief Supreme Court Justice give the oath of office to someone who doesn't meet the criteria in Title 1? My fellow Iowans' regardless of your political persuasion, we can do far better than the recent republican town hall meeting which took place in our state. Become familiar with the candidates who seek public office regardless of their gender. In the interim, Romney isn't the answer, Bachmann isn't the answer, and Palin certainly isn't the answer. Choose someone who is worthy of your vote.

I can readily see why Romney doesn't look to favorably on Iowa, because it was their three and one half years ago where he was asked by a journalist about his lack of military service, and that of his five son's. His remark or response when asked the question then, was that his five son's could best serve his country by seeing to it that their Father (Mitt Romney), was elected. His sheer arrogance was made in a state where five brother's lost their lives aboard ship during World War II. His remarks not only showed arrogance, but a total lack of respect towards all Iowa veterans, notwithstanding the country as a whole. For somebody who could send my son's off to war, but not his own, certainly couldn't get my vote...

At the very least, just as for any other position of responsibility, physical health check, mental health check and intelligence test should all be mandatory.
It seems crazy that county traffic wardens, park rangers and military recruits undergo these tests and potential leaders of a do not.
A straight up popularity contest, driven by advertising with no thought for real abilities, qualifications and current state of health.