Idea of the Week: Vetting Political Candidates

This idea goes with this week's Book of the Week suggestion. Since the recent talent pool of political candidates has been wanting in some cases for a variety of questionable acts, maybe each state should develop a process to conduct background checks on political candidates before they run for office. This process would include what normally happens when people are vetted for cabinet positions. This would also include an interview with prospective candidates chaired by a Democrat, Independent, and Republican. In order to be able to run for office, the candidate must pass the background check and get unanimous approval by the committee of three to run for office. The Committee could approve up to three candidates. That way, we would be virtually assured that pragmatic forward-looking centrists would run instead of looney tune extremists on both sides. We would also reform the campaign finance system through a constitutional amendment so these candidates receive an equal amount of money to make their case to the people. It is a tad utopian but the system we have now is not ensuring the recruitment of the best, the brightest, and the clean. Why not give it a try.