Why do we choose from just two people for President and 50 for Miss America?

Question

You would think that we would have more options for something of such an importance....wouldn't you?

Answer 1

We would rather 50 beautiful women in 2 piece bathing suits than 50 presidential candidates in 3 piece suits.

Answer 2

Contrary to popular opinion, nothing in the Constitution requires only two candidates for President. (Not even the 12th Amendment, which selects from a final three).

The problem is that between the way states chose to implement the Electoral College, and the way partisan polarity and bickering have divided the country, only someone on an extreme flank of a narrow political spectrum can get enough people angry enough to solicit money and mobilize voters.

Just about everyone currently in political office gets much of their power (and campaign financing) from their political party, so there is a strong incentive for the two "major" political parties to continue dominating the field and keeping all other party candidates out. It's the one thing both the right and the left can agree on.

Answer 3

Here's a plan!

Hail To The Chief (Friday Nights, 9pm Eastern, C-SPAN):
50 states, and 4 major territories (PR, USVI, Guam, DC) send their brightest and best politicians to compete for the Oval Office. The American voters, registered electronically, make their votes, just like in American Idol, to decide who will lead the United States of America. No more political parties. No more annoying campaign smear adds. Just the weekly show, for one season, every four years. Votes can be made from home, or at official polling stations.

Answer 4

As many people who want to can run for president. They're just not likely to get elected if they aren't Democrat or Republican

Green Party, Liberterian, and many other parties nominate a candidate for the presidency each year, but they don't have the funds to put those names out in the public like the two major parties do.

Answer 5

What do you advise 2? Barack Obama John McCain Ralph Nader Bob Barr Chuck 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley Cynthia McKinney that sounds like 6 no longer 2. and that is no longer counting the those that did run yet lost in there primaries. Plus omit united statesa. is for enternatnment the elcetions are for genuine objective.

Answer 6

Because the world is dominated by sexist male chauvinist. Just having a contest between 2 beautiful women would be boring, and we don't want to see 50 old geezers strutting around a stage in a g-string having a political debate.

Answer 7

I have no idea. As if it even matters lately who we choose. Vote Republican, vote Democrat, vote for a third party candidate, no matter. Once they are in office the money trails all lead in the same direction. We do need more options, that would make sense, but it's been a while since this country's actions have made sense.

Answer 8

Because our two party system has yet to even offer two candidates who would be worth a damn. Who has run in the last two elections, Bush, Gore, Kerry? I don't want any of them.

My God! If we had the two parties running candidates for Miss America what would we have to choose from? I shudder to think.

Answer 9

We actually have several to choose from. Besides Democratic and Republican there is Libertarian, Peace and Freedom, Socialist, Green, Independant, American Independant, Farmer-labor party and others depending where you live. Miss America is hardly the same thing.

Answer 10

Because there arent 50 people that run for President, if 50 people ran; youd be able to choose between 50.