Oh, What A Screwy System

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Yet there is great fatalism about the prospects for sweeping reform. "After every election," says Republican Analyst John Sears, "we all stomp the ground and say how terrible it is. And by the time we do it again, we've made it worse." Sears should know; he was a member of the bipartisan Commission on National Elections, which two years ago produced a few modest proposals for dealing with the nominating system's worst features. Not one of those ideas has been put into effect.

While no one wants a return to boss rule, a large exertion of authority is necessary. That can come only from Congress, because no state or region will willingly cede influence. One scheme promoted by Michigan Congressman Sander Levin goes in the right direction. It would set six dates between March and June for a series of "interregional" primaries. On each date, a group of states of various sizes from different regions of the country would hold contests. The order would rotate.

Like every master plan, Levin's has drawbacks. It would make it more difficult for an unknown candidate to hustle his way to prominence in one small arena. But a sensible calendar imposed by Congress would compel candidates to take a national approach from the start and would reduce the clout of small, ideological factions. Does a plan like this have a chance of enactment? "It's on the back burner," Levin sighs, "and will remain there until the pots on the front burner explode." Given today's bubbling turmoil, 1988 may bring the system to that point of combustion.

CHART: TEXT NOT AVAILABLE

CREDIT: TIME CHART by Joe Lertola

CAPTION: LANDMARKS & LANDMINES

DESCRIPTION: Primary elections and delegate selection for presidential nominating conventions.