Here's a revolutionary idea that will go nowhere

[DFW]

I propose the introduction of the Contigency Candidate.

This would specifically apply to members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Why? Say, Sherrod Brown or Elizabeth Warren becomes our nominee and wins the White House. The Republican governor of Ohio or Massachusetts picks his/her replacement, and the Senate balance for the incoming president goes one vote against us, and we cannot afford to lose votes in the Senate. I say, this should NOT be a reason for a qualified Senator or House member to refrain from running.

I propose the right of a Senate or House member to have their own hand-picked shadow candidate, a contingency candidate, to run and be seated as their replacement, should that Senate or House member move on to the White House. Qualified Senators and Representatives should not hesitate to run solely on the basis of their replacement being from the opposition if they win.

Granted, this would apply to Republicans, too, but if a state elects a perfectly horrible Republican Senator, chances are, they already have a perfectly horrible Republican governor anyway. On the other hand, some traditionally Democratic states sometimes elect (relatively) moderate Republican governors (Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota e.g.), and such is indeed the case right now with MA and MD.

With all the bigger fish we have to fry (saving the oceans, restoring education, China, Russia, etc.) I realize this not an immediate or urgent issue, but I'd like to hear it debated in Congress at some point down the road. Of all the reasons that would keep a member of Congress from running for President or VP, this should not be one of them.

[safeinOhio]

1. All for it, but

would have to be done at the state level.

[vlyons]

2. that's going backwards

we fought for the 17th Amendment to directly elect Senators, and not be some party hack appointed to the office.

[DFW]

3. The contingency candidate does not get a free ride

The opposition can put up a candidate, too. But as for party hacks, that is exactly what happens now when the sitting governor appoints whatever hack from their party they desire, without any input from voters at all.