I hoped the American people would, en masse, watch the Democratic Presidential Debate Wednesday night. It was a tough call- the future of the United States vs. Which 6 will remain on American Idol...

And the winner was....

American Idol with over 22 million viewers. The Debate: Almost 11 million viewers.

It is no wonder our country is in trouble...

Maybe we should consider running our primary season like Idol. Each party could hold tryouts around the country and then put out the summary shows during which the best and the worst would be highlighted. Can you see James Carville and Karl Rove telling candidates: You're going to Iowa, baby!

We would have a few weeks of "Hollywood" during which candidates would be coached by the "experts" on policy, how to talk like a preacher or a Midwesterner and how to look into the camera and appear sincere. The judges could each ask one or 2 questions of each candidate each week. The American people would vote on Tuesdays and then the next night we would get to watch the candidates sweat as some moderate moderator tells him or her "You're safe" or "The people have voted and you________ are going home."

Then, when we narrowed the search for America's next President down to two, they would each have to introduce their VP choice. We could have a couple of weeks of debates and then- we vote.

No exit polls, no around the clock analysis of how the counts are rolling in. America would vote one night and then the answer would be broadcast the next night.

I can hear it now: America voted and our next President is...