Political Conclave

The correlation between electing a Pope and the current Republican field for President may give us some insight into how the Republicans should work together in order to ensure a more unified front for the American Electorate.

In the last Papal Conclave there were 117 Cardinals or Cardinal Electors that qualified to enter the Conclave.  Each one present had the ability to step into the Holy (designer) shoes as the next voice of God for the Catholic Church and the nearly 1 billion followers.  Of the 117 only one would be chosen.   I am in no measure an authority on Catholicism, but the process of Papal election is steeped in tradition and ensures a unanimous vote of confidence in the individual eventually chosen, that’s what’s supposed to happen.

With a wide open field of Republicans vying for supreme leader (with Trump at the top followed by Dr. Carson, at the time of writing) and in some regards the leader of the Free World, it seems a waste of resources, time and energy to go through the election process twice; once for the primary phase and the second for the final phase.  It seems much more logical to follow the precepts laid down, almost two centuries ago that forces the capable and willing into one room to “hash it out.” 

 I’m not advocating a full scale rumble behind closed doors, but if they televised that reality show I think everyone would watch (my idea) but it would be nice for the party that professes to represent our interests to demonstrate enough organizational skills to come together and at least get the field down to a few only.  Those that failed to make the cut could help marshal their resources and followers behind the 2 or 3 that were left, saving millions and millions of dollars and salvaging the integrity of the impending slug fest in front of the public, with the winner a battered and beaten representative, fair game to the rested and money sloshed opponent.

In the old days of American politics the looser of the Presidential race was appointed to the Vice Presidency.  Even with differing political ideas, they had to get along for the good of the country, theoretically that is.  That may not work in today’s political reality, due to the animosity and enmity between the two, but it shows how far down the political hole we’ve fallen.

Neither the Catholics or the Mormons have a problem choosing a new leader, they do so unanimously.  The Pope or the Prophet takes his place at the head of the church and for all intense and purposes he is the voice of God, and all those that elected him follow his direction.  Can you imagine 117 men agreeing on anything?  For the Mormons it’s only 12 or 14 depending on who is alive at the time.

Unlike our political system that really doesn’t care about who’s president, unless it’s their guy.  The other side creates an almost inescapable gauntlet of vitriol that starts before the election and often times proceeds to well after that president left office.  Case in point:  look at the way the republicans have lambasted Jimmy Carter, or the Democrats have demeaned George W. Bush, or any of the past presidents for that matter.  Only the dead ones get any respect and not even that saves many of them.

I know some Cardinals are more outspoken than others but they can only go so far.  Most Churches have the power of excommunication, and if you keep rocking the spiritual boat that’s where you’ll end up, outside of the boat, thrown overboard.

That spiritual separation would never work in politics, but I think the idea of a more logistical approach to the selection process might be in order.  We are a Representative Republic after all.  For those who do not fully understand that concept, it simply means that the brightest, most honest and most capable should be available to lead us and guide us, letting us develop a level of faith in their abilities to manage the monstrosity that is government.  Remember, “We are a government of the people, by the people” meaning that there should never be an elected elite, nor a career politician.  I think we missed that boat a long time ago and I doubt it will ever be found afloat again. 

Maybe, just maybe, if we had those who were willing to sacrifice their time and talents in the same room, they, in concert, might be able to distinguish from the many, the few that really have our best interests at heart.  They cannot vote for themselves, and I would even go so far as to mandate no contact with the others to avoid creating coalitions and partnerships.  So in the end we have a unanimous vote for the person best suited to lead based on party.  Then the main event could commence.  Gloves off, purses open and all hell breaks loose as one party fights the other for control.

The savings in dollars would be staggering; the savings of reputations would also be a bonus. No more mud slinging, at least in the primaries.  That would be downright boring, what would I ever have to right about?  

Maybe the idea is just too good to be true and we’ll just have to deal with the antics, the audacious  publicity, the lies, the braggadociosness and extreme hyperbole….It could be worse.  We could all be forced to stand around the white house waiting for the blue smoke …(I know it’s supposed to be white)… to clear just to be told to go home because our votes didn’t count this time around.