The process for selecting a U.S. president has been criticized, and rightly so, for emphasizing style above substance, organization above ideas and contributions above conscience. Platitudes and sniping have replaced reasoned debates and electioneering has devolved into 30-second spots based on focus group research. "American Candidate" asks how things might be different if money and political connections weren't factors, but the 10-part series is so wed to the "Survivor"-style game show format that these intriguing hypothetical questions don't get explored.

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