Going back to Barry's point earlier of - dammit the next election isn't til 2008 -- a word to possibly trying the British system? The PM is, of course, the leader of the party in power at any one time. S/he gets to choose when the next election is held (I think it MUST be within 7 years but apart from that - the incumbent PM gets to pick). Once the date is selected, there is a very short period of time in which advertising may be carried out -- I haven't lived in the UK for a while but it is TRULY a short period (perhaps 45 days?). On Election Day, the total topic is taboo to radio, tv, newspapers etc (easier in a country with one time zone I admit). And THEN, once the election is over and the polls are closed -- the journalists can start commenting on it.

Keeps it in proportion, I think......