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In 1896 William Jennings Bryan set the modern presidential campaign style by traveling all over the country, while victor William McKinley ran a so-called "front-porch" campaign, remaining at his residence to receive delegations. I'd have preferred Bryan to win, but I think McKinley may have had it right in terms of how to run for president.
Nowadays there is so much frenetic racing from place to place (reaching its zenith when Nixon strove for all 50 states in 1960). Why couldn't a modern candidate remain in one central location (or perhaps four regional locales for 2-3 weeks each, E-W-N-S). And of course, in the Internet Age, there is plenty of opportunity for video conferencing, online events, publicized "front-porch" or "at home" meetings with citizenry (selected by lot, their travel paid for), calm discussions and roundtables with experts, interest groups, journalists, supporters, non-supporters, even opponents, etc.
In 1896 William Jennings Bryan set the modern presidential campaign style by traveling all over the country, while victor William McKinley ran a so-called "front-porch" campaign, remaining at his residence to receive delegations. I'd have preferred Bryan to win, but I think McKinley may have had it right in terms of how to run for president.
Nowadays there is so much frenetic racing from place to place (reaching its zenith when Nixon strove for all 50 states in 1960). Why couldn't a modern candidate remain in one central location (or perhaps four regional locales for 2-3 weeks each, E-W-N-S). And of course, in the Internet Age, there is plenty of opportunity for video conferencing, online events, publicized "front-porch" or "at home" meetings with citizenry (selected by lot, their travel paid for), calm discussions and roundtables with experts, interest groups, journalists, supporters, non-supporters, even opponents, etc.
One could still add the occasional photo-op at a melting glacier, a very few traditional huge rallies, even a whistle-stop train for old time's sake. But most of the road-show burden and trappings would be avoided. Much more of such a campaign's public face would be articulate advocates, and the volunteer corps.
I am speaking here of a "non-candidate" already somehow drafted and nominated, and now "non-running" for president. These notions could be adapted for a non-candidacy in the caucus and primary stages.
A "search committee" (and/or high-profile promoter team) would have to do the pre-nomination heavy lifting, with at least some winks & nods from the no-plans-to-run candidate. The theme would be: the job seeks the person. Or to put it another way: back by popular demand.