The Next Hurrah

• Share

(2 of 2)

One side benefit of the process as it is today is that it assures seats for women and minorities, who were underrepresented in the past. But that advantage may be illusory, says Sanford. Women and minorities are certainly more prominent at the conventions now, but he suggests that they have only the appearance of power. They have little room for maneuvering or expressing their own viewpoints; they are bound delegates. "Would it not be better if we had a system that would draw in women and minority delegates because each had an intellectual and political contribution to make, rather than because the party wants superficial proof that it is broad and fair?" More independence for the delegates would also revive the importance of the national convention, which Sanford describes as a "consensus-building instrument that is crucial to our effective self-government." This, in turn, is likely to produce better nominees. Democratic government can be destroyed, writes Sanford, if "we mistakenly assume the goal to be participation rather than selecting the best possible presidential candidates." ∎