How would life be if reps and presidents could NOT run under a political party banner?

Question

In other words, would NOT having the label Dem or Repub attached to a rep/president help or hurt the US?

Answer 1

I honestly think it would help - people would necessarily have to pay a little more attention to the candidates because they wouldn't have the often misinformed opinion concerning a persons general ideology - be it democratic or republican or what ever.

Answer 2

That would change the entire process. There wouldn't be a caucus, a primary, a convention, and it would even change the voter registration process. It would be much more democratic but completely chaotic. People assume certain things from candidates because of their party affiliation. Without that, the candidates would have to do a whole lot more explaining about their positions but would not be constrained by the party position to get nominated in the first place. In some ways good, but on the other hand, we could wind up with anything. But then look what we wound up with in the last two presidential elections.

Answer 3

I don't think that it would make much of a difference since the ones that would get the most media attention will be the ones with the most money backing them. I think that drastically limiting campaign contributions (so that a lot of "ordinary" people could afford to support their favored candidates) would make a greater difference.

Answer 4

Only rich people could afford to pay for their own campaigns, and fundraising would become a full time career, so the government would be of, by and for the rich - oh, sorry - it is already!...

Answer 5

I think ppl would be more honest in their opinoins of presidents

Answer 6

a lot more honest