John Oliver takes a steely look at U.S. system for selecting presidential nominees, pleads for reform
On Sunday's Last Week Tonight, John Oliver took a long, hard look at the byzantine system of primaries and caucuses America uses to pick its presidential candidates. And maybe it takes an Englishman to explain just how crazy the American system is. Oliver touched on the ongoing race between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders and the brouhaha at the Nevada Democratic convention, but that's not what his report is proximately about. He started with some history.
In the years after the riotous 1968 Democratic convention, when party leaders picked Hubert Humphrey, "both parties reformed their processes to give their rank-and-file members more of a say, but many of the details were left up to state leaders — which might help explain why we have such an erratic clusterf--k every four years," Oliver said. "Almost every part of this process is difficult to defend." He specially cited the Democratic process in Washington State and GOP decision to assign at-large delegates in Pennsylvania. "If Dancing With the Stars had a system where instead of voting directly for Paige VanZant or Ginger Zee, you had to vote for Doug or Karen to vote on your behalf, neither of whom will tell you which dancer they prefer, there would be riots in the streets," he said.
"To be fair to both parties, they're basically private clubs; they can set their own rules," Oliver noted. "But if you play by a system of complex, opaque rules that almost nobody understands, and that you could use to your advantage — even if you don't — you are going to alienate voters ... It would clearly behoove both parties to take a long, hard look at this, because they actually got lucky this time." That's because each party's likely nominee won the most votes in the primaries, this time. And it's too late to change the system this year, Oliver said, because "the middle of the game is the worst possible time to change the rules." But "unfortunately, we only get angry about the primary process during the primary process, when it's impacting the candidate we care about," he added, and to see his solution — and his entire case for wholesale reform — watch the video below. (There is some slightly NSFW content.) Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Outer Hebrides: a top travel destination
The Week Recommends Discover 'unspoiled beauty' of the Western Isles
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
The Biltmore Mayfair review: a quintessential slice of luxury London
The Week Recommends This swanky retreat in Grosvenor Square blends old-world glamour with modern comforts
By Caroline Dolby Published
-
Is ChatGPT's new search engine OpenAI's Google 'killer'?
Talking Point There's a new AI-backed search engine in town. But can it stand up to Google's decades-long hold on internet searches?
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published