we'd still, today, be in the middle of the fourth or fifth election. Do you remember the red/blue map? The country is divided, and the divide is over fairly fundamental issues -- not abortion or states' rights, but between urbanites and non-. That isn't going to change soon.

What I'd propose is some variant on flipping a coin. Result would be at least as "valid" as what we have, it wouldn't take as long, and it would be 'way cheaper.