SYTYCBP???

I saw a blog post today on Marginal Revolution about a new game show that might cure the general public indifference with elections. You can read the article here, but I will give you a summary. Basically people are not well informed about who good candidates are. We don't know enough about issues and, because of that, they don't have any incentive to be informed themselves. What we, the public, need is a forum where we can actually see how they work. Thus is born, So You Think You Can Be President. It involves contests that show skills necessary to be president. Here are some ideas from Alex Tabarrok:

Coase it Out: Presidential candidates have 12 hours to get a bitterly divorcing couple to divide their assets in a mutually agreeable manner. (Bonus points are awarded if the candidate convinces the couple to stay together.)

Game Theory: Candidates compete in a game of Diplomacy. I would also include several ringers - say Robin Hanson, Bryan Caplan and Salma Hayek. Why these three? Robin is cold, calculating and merciless - make a logical mistake and he will make you pay. Bryan is crafty and experienced. And Salma? I couldn't refuse her anything but presidents should be made of stronger stuff so we need a test.

Spot the Fraud: Presidential candidates are provided with an economic scenario (mortgage defaults are up, hedge funds are crashing, liquidity is tight). Three experts propose plans. The candidate must choose one of the plans. After the candidate chooses, the true identities of the "experts" are revealed. One is a trucker, another a scuba diver instructor and the last a distinguished economist. Which did the candidate choose?

Entertaining? Check. Correlated with important skills for governing? Check. Can the voters tell who the winner is? Check.

Heck, I might even pay money to text my vote.