It Might Help Voter Turnout

I liked this opening paragraph from Virginia Heffernan's review of the American Idol finale in the New York Times.

'November's general elections need a "results show" like the big bash "American Idol" staged on Fox last night. Instead of distracted anchormen calling tallies from boring desks, the hyperhappy host, Ryan Seacrest, could crow in a tieless tux about how fabulous voter turnout was. Past failed candidates - Carol Moseley Braun, Bob Dole and Howard Dean, certainly - could reprise old stump speeches, all smiles now. Finally, following a sax rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by a former idol, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and John Kerry could stand up, holding hands, trembling but beaming encouragement to each other, as Ryan announced our next American president.'

Can't deny that it would liven up election day television coverage. Plus, our election process operates more like a popularity contest most of the time anyways. Why not celebrate it in the right way?