Must See TV: Who Wants to Be the President?

In spite of the non-stop media coverage of the Democratic and Republican candidates hoping to become the next President of the United States, the vast majority of people couldn't care less. It could be because the first primary vote won't be cast for another seven months. Or it could be that the whole thing is simply too damn boring for most folks.

In an earlier article, I suggested that reality TV was a bad thing for America. However, it has given me an idea. I say that we should jazz the whole nomination process up by throwing out the primaries, caucuses and conventions and turn the race into a television reality show instead. If nothing else, turning the 2008 campaign into a reality show would cause a higher voter turnout than we've seen in decades. It might even enable high school students to identify Hillary Clinton as easily as they identify Kelly Clarkson.

There would be compelling viewing from each party. Watching the Republicans fight over who gets the bedroom that's the farthest to the right (as the camera sees them, at least) in order to woo Conservative Christian voters will be better than a mixed martial arts tournament. So will seeing Ron Paul try to explain why he's running as a Republican when he's clearly a Libertarian.

On the Democratic side, the alliances forged between Hillary and John Edwards to get Barack Obama voted off would be as gripping as an episode of "House". Watching Dennis Kucinich debate Chris Dodd over which one of them is less relevant is the kind of train-wreck viewing we love.

As far as judges, I would include Martin Sheen and Michael Douglas since they were each better at being president than the one we have now. Jon Stewart would round out the panel, and keep things interesting and funny, especially when Mitt Romney starts to drone on about the New Massachusetts Miracle.