I think a STV or IRV systems are perhaps the most equitable and easy enough for the US to transition to. Most PR or mixed systems would be asking too much.

But we Americans are a stubborn bunch, so I think the two party system is here to stay.

Obama may be personally popular, but some of his policies are not. Voters may blame him for the slow end of the recession, high unemployment, and cuts to that sacred cow, Medicare. All the Repubs have to do is blame him for the Bush mess, and hope that the public has a short memory.

“Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy. The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty. “

Is there anything more irrelevant in the U.S than who the Republicans nominate for president in the future. Given that there is zero chance of President Obama loses, then who cares who runs for the Republicans in 2012. Anyone who want such a worthless nomination is just demonstrating how out of touch those Republicans are.

Very good assessment on that one, SBSF.

But as far as “candidates belonging to the party that most closely resembles their beliefs”, that's a bit different. Too simplistic. In many ways, the parliamentarian system in the UK has a better representation system where you vote for a candidate that specifically represents your interests, and that part forms coalitions to get their agendas addressed. The democrat's Democrat or republican's Republican just aren't to be found anymore. Take, for example, me. A social conservative, fiscal moderate, conservationist, labor-supporting, democrat who believes in free market. Which party does THAT belong in?

And that's the problem as of late. Both parties have been overrun with special interest that has gone way past representing individuals. The system is broken, and the parties are at fault.

She knows that one of the reasons that McCain lost was that he never had the support of the conservative base of the party.

I heard several talk radio hosts and guests (even Coulter!) swearing that they would vote for a Democrat rather than for him. After McCain's loss, there is no way that a moderate Repub or a paleo will get the nomination. Only a social conservative will do. It won't be Huckabee because he is too much of a populist. Palin may be ignorant on many subjects, but she is definitely a sharp politician.

Of course, winning the nomination isn't the same as winning the election. She is counting on discontent with the Democrats to do the rest. Maybe Obama will be seen as the second coming of Jimmy Carter– a man who is well-intentioned but poorly suited to solve the myriad challenges of our times. IMO, Obama was set up to fail by Bush's disastrous administration, which left the country in such a hole, that no living being could pull us out in 4 years. Many Repubs knew this in '08, and actually wanted the Democrats to take the hit, which would set them up for a comeback in '12, because of the short memory of the voting public.

The moderates do not want to broaden the party, they want a Democratic-lite party where conservative keep voting for them because they have no choice. Until RINO's realize that conservative whites do not look at the Republican Party in the same way that blacks view the Democratic Party, then Republicans will be much better off.

The establishment Republicans who hand picked Dede Scozzafava should just admit now that they made a serious mistake and should ask her to drop out of the race. She is a failure that just need to go away.

And, I would feel the same if the GOP was the reigning party and the Dems were out.

http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/polit/damy/prlib.htm

“This is the stupidest country in the world. Bring on President Palin. We deserve her.”

I think many on the right fringe feel the same way (meaning the Armey types vs the Gingrich types) which is a rift encouraged by far-right media standard bearers… a dynamic btw that will insure the GOP continues to flounder and fragment.

Absoutely. The “social conservatives” include the many secular ones, not just the hyped Religious Right.

Yes, she's in the game, though all the entrants are too early, and much attention at this time is too much, too early. Aside from the hope that the “economic conservative” or “fiscal conservative” crowd (that's many of us standard US libertarian types, who want Washington downsized, as it ought to be) still need someone to appeal to them or the GOP will continue to be irrelevent or merely Lesser Evil Party, don't forget that even the current star-power people (jockeying early because the field is weak, as well as the party's doing little else of note currently) in no way would deter Jeb Bush from running in 2012.

This is no shocker. She had very little loyalty to the Rep party…probably feels that it has turned on her.

As far as each party wanting “purists”…. I feel that is a reactionary response done when people feel under seige.

Candidates should belong to the party that most closely resembles their beliefs. There is no “one size fits all” in America and those polticians who believe there is (in any party) are the ones with their heads buried in the sand.