Katherine Gehl has an interesting viewpoint on reforming the American primary system for federal offices. Gehl is a former CEO of her family business, Gehl Foods, and President Obama appointed her to an administration post. She has published an influential article that influenced the modifications of Alaska’s primary system to the “Top Four” Primary method (called “Final Five voting” in the video).
While I’m skeptical of Gehl’s claims to be non-partisan–photos on Twitter embracing Michelle Obama beguile her authenticity–her passion in the video below for non-partisan reform is convincing. I’m suspicious that she leans liberal as a moderate, and her passion for reform stems from her frustration in entering politics from a business person’s perspective. I understand why she wants to change the rules; her proposals are not revolutionary but modest. Her recommendations are worth considering.
With that said, Gehl has it right that our current system of primaries has the wrong incentives for elected officials. Her quote in the video is apropos:
“The ultimate purpose is not necessarily to change who wins. It is to change what the winners are incentivized to do,”
Katherine Gehl
Take a look at her video and see what you think.