Why is our election season so long?

[GoneOffShore]

Having lived in the UK and as a frequent visitor to Europe, I am always amazed at how short their run ups to elections are.

Six to eight weeks tops.

We'd have better government, I think, if campaigning didn't start as soon as someone is elected.

And we probably would have a more involved electorate.

[onecaliberal]

1. The MSM makes money on it.

[bemildred]

2. I pays well and gives plenty of time for the poltiics of personal attacks and obfuscation. nt

[bigwillq]

3. $$$$$$$$$$$$$

$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Warren Stupidity]

4. Billions spent on media buys.

It is a giant corrupt shit show.

[GoneOffShore]

13. And it bores people and effectively keeps them from voting.

Personally, I would like voting to be mandatory.

(And yes, I know all the stuff about an uninformed electorate, but still.....)

[SwankyXomb]

5. I think it dates back

to when it took weeks to travel around the country. The people who would whine loudest about a compressed election campaign (besides the media) would be Iowa and New Hampshire, since it's the only time people who don't live there remember they exist.

[GoneOffShore]

10. And realize that there is a lot of crazy in those states.

We have a tendency to forget that in the off years.

[Arugula Latte]

6. We enjoy a good prolonged torture session in this country.

[21st Century Poet]

7. Size

The largest country in the European Union is Germany. Germany is about the size of one state in the United States. The long process is supposed to give politicians the chance to travel and meet people from all over the country and give people the chance to get to know the candidates and participate more fully in the electoral process.

This made a lot of sense in the old days when it was very unlikely for someone in a remote state to get to know the presidential candidates closely. It is arguably less necessary in these days of politicians using the mass media to reach out to the public. Still, the long season serves as a test of stamina, knowledge, talent and determination, and it shows how the candidates react to happening events and when under pressure. This is supposed to stop flash-in-the-pan politicians from getting elected. Donald Trump, for example, seems to be sinking. Had the process been one of only a few weeks, he would probably have been nominated before anyone could put up a fight.

[GoneOffShore]

8. Interesting thought - But, my feeling is that Drumpf would have flamed out early

Before his followers coalesced.

With the advent of mass communications and the Internet we really no longer need a super long electoral season.

And, as stated in my initial post, that long season means people disengage and get bored with the nonsense.

If these yahoos only had 8 weeks max and including in that time qualifying to even get on a ballot, then the American electorate (which has the attention span of...... SQUIRREL!)might well pay attention.

[TeamPooka]

9. It's a business. nt

[GoneOffShore]

12. So it is and occasionally working for media consultants, I make money from it.

Not enough money, but some.

[Helen Borg]

11. it would be fine if it was

A long, meankngful discussion...

[GoneOffShore]

14. I would prefer a short, meaningful discussion.

[Helen Borg]

16. meaningful discussions tend to be long.

Because there are many factors to consider at times. It takes time to process, realize that ingrained points of view may be incorrect and so on...

[Odin2005]

15. States trying to one-up each other to be the first primary.