So there is a sizeable base of socially traditionalist, economically populist voters to be had. Unfortunately, the partisanship scolds invariably cater to exactly the opposite demographic: elites who favor free trade, open immigration, cutting entitlements, and social tolerance. ~Jonathan Chait
Think of it this way: we have large numbers of voters interested in a sort of Webb-Dobbs-Buchanan worldview and, on the other side, an endless supply of tiresome Obamas telling us that we just need to put aside our differences, work together and have hope. No wonder the public is disenchanted! The “centrists” who want to move beyond partisanship are actually interested in overrepresenting still more those views and interests that are already overrepresented in this country.
kranza 
I’ve been fantasizing about picking a President on the “American Idol” or “Dancing With the Stars” principle–open tryouts with skilled judges and after the winnowing, a popular vote by cellphone and email.
“Tom, your riff on immigration last week was great, but your Iran strategy was terribly amateurish. Work on foreign policy if you’re not voted off.”
“Rudy, you won the drag competition but you blew it on entitlement reform.”
“Hillary, you’re just not lively enough for me or for the public.”
“Barack, you’re a one trick pony. ‘Hope’ week after week won’t cut it.”
I could see Larison as the Simon Cowell judge, but who’s gonna play the Paula role–the gushing, sentimental one?