If presidential elections were decided by popular vote instead of the Electoral College, Al Gore would have been elected president in 2000. How we choose a president profoundly impacts how campaigns are run, the importance of swing states and an election’s outcome. It’s certainly no surprise that the Electoral College vs. popular vote controversy has sparked considerable debate. As the issue surfaces heading into November, is it time to graduate from the Founding Father's Electoral College concept, or are popularity contests no way to choose a president?
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Two Thirds of States Have Made Up Their Minds
- From Evergreen Freedom Foundation
By Evergreen Freedom Foundation - ...because freedom matters
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Made up WHOSE mind?
Yes, Utah has already made up its mind. What about mine? I thought the electoral college was supposed to protect the minority. I am a minority in Utah and so long as I live here my vote can do nothing contribute to the national campaign, the candidates will never try to sway me or other Utah voters, and my vote will never count. Utah has made up my mind for me.
- crunchymom September 19, 2008 6:57PM
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Side: Popular Vote
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Thanks for the insult!
As a Texan who supports Obama even while knowing my state's electoral votes will go to McCain, I feel abused and insulted by the very existence of the electoral college, and insist that it be abolished. No state is of one mind and the election results, to be an accurate reflection of the people's will, must never appear that way. We are NOT the Borg, and I refuse to be assimulated!
- Dale Husband
October 17, 2008 12:03AM
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Side: Popular Vote
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Lets back up a bit...
So, say you were in the minority on a national scale with a popular vote. Your vote would mean just the same as with the Electoral college system. The Nation will make up its mind for you and there would be LESS chance of swaying the popular opinion. If you look back in history, many on the states we call sure-bets have changed parties within the last 5 to 10 years. Look at the current election and the states that have changed from Republican to Democrat majority. I live in Utah as well; hey, there's a Democratic congressman, what are you complaining about? As for us being the Borg. If you think we have it bad, have you lived in other countries ravaged by dictatorship, radicalism, and tyrants (say, Venezuela). It was in places like this, where tyrants reign because of popularity of campaign. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
I digress, there does need to be a compromise; the constitution is a
work-in-process. However, an alteration to appointment for the most powerful position in the world with a future of uncertainty scares me. Check out what George Washington (aka the Father of the Nation) said: "In all the changes to which you may be invited, remember...that experience is the surest standard." (1) The Electoral College, the least we can say, has hundreds of years of experience and has served the United States well. (Remember, its the United States not the United People)
Thanks for you comments BTW.
http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/farewell/text.html (see verse 19)
- SaintElmosFire
October 28, 2008 4:50PM
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Side: Electoral College
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