Even though I’m a ”recovering lawyer” and try to steer clear of things like Court TV and Judge Judy,  I still try to keep up on some of the legal publications that come home in Mr. PunditMom’s briefcase.    In the September issue of The American Lawyer, Editor in Chief Aric Press announced his plan for reforming the legal system that I think would translate beautifully to the presidential campaign.

It’s genius!  So much so, that I think we should steal it and apply it to the presidential campaign, as well!

His tongue-in-cheek brain child?  Mothers in Law, LLP.  In a nutshell, if you can’t convince your mother that an idea is a good one, then don’t do it.

Have a crazy legal theory or business idea?  Just imagine that you have to sell it to a panel of moms.  If it doesn’t get past their maternal sensibilities, then it’s a no go.  One example?

“Ma, I got this really cool new job.  I’m going to be the boss at the same place where my girlfriend works.  And Ma, I’m going to get her a promotion and more money, too.  And no one will object!  Do you see anything wrong with this?”

Press says we should use this model for White House occupants, as well.  But I say why wait until the new president is ensconced in his or hew new digs on Pennsylvania Avenue until 2012?  Why not put this to work now for the remaining 3,457 (or so)  ”debates” that are headed our way?

Forget the panel of journalists posing questions and no more spouting prepared soundbite responses.  Let’s line up some moms and make the candidates explain the specifics their proposals (no general statements, that’s cheating) on getting out of Iraq, health care, education, the Supreme Court, you name it. 

If the idea sounds too ridiculous, we send in Heidi Klum (come on, she’s a mom, too!) to give them the Project Runway ‘auf wiedersehen.’

I know the contenders would never go for it, but the kernel of truth is there – if a candidate can’t pass the explain-it-to-your-mother straight face test, they get the boot until the next campaign cycle when they can come back with some real plans for how to fix this country!