Everybody gets an office, even the losers

Democrats have 13 categories of challenges Nov. 3, 2020. ('Why Trump May Win,” May 29.) One of the 13 was on display at The Gazette/Iowa Public Radio's June 20 Pints & Politics: Why 23 outstanding, qualified candidates are as much curse as blessing. IPR's Ben Kieffer asked the 150 politically savvy attendees to applaud if they'd picked their candidate. Only one did. Everyone else clapped for 'haven't picked one.” Two debate nights later many remain undecided.

Followers of the 22 'losers” may lack enthusiasm for the ultimate winner. What to do? How about this: Have all 23 individually pledge that if they win, they will offer an appropriate, important position in their administration to each of the 22 former candidates who want one (e.g., White House, cabinet, major agency, ambassadorship). They can all have offices, though only one is oval. In other words, we kind of elect all of them. Would that make you more enthusiastic for the winner if your choice loses? What do you think?

Nicholas Johnson

Iowa City