Bill Whittle Explains the "Electoral College" Once and for All!

Politichicks ^ | 3-6-12 | patriotupdatereport

[ak267]

Bill Whittle explains the electoral college versus the national popular vote.

[Just another Joe]

The electoral college can disregard the popular vote, if they so desire.

[DManA]

Theoretically. But only the most thoroughly reliable democrats and republicans get appointed.

[orchid]

Theoretically, each congressional district elects an elector. This elector is pledged to a candidate. However, the wishes of voters in a district are negated if a plurality of voters statewide vote for a candidate’s electors whom they have not chosen. I feel that the “unit rule” is unconstitutional since it nullifies the idea of “one man, one vote.” If I remember, only two states have apportioned electors (Maine and Nebraska???).

[Jim Noble]

I feel that the “unit rule” is unconstitutional since it nullifies the idea of “one man, one vote.”

Voting - I mean, citizens voting - is not part of the constitutional process for choosing a President, so what you feel about it is irrelevant.

The fact that State legislatures have all specified voting as a means of choosing electors could change tomorrow - and we would be a lot better off if it did.

[A.A. Cunningham]

There is no national popular vote for President.

There are 51 individual elections for President. Tabulating the aggregate vote is a nonbinding exercise in addition only.

[The Antiyuppie]

“The electoral college can disregard the popular vote, if they so desire.”

I do remember reading the reason why in grade school, but, of course, it was actually mentioned in the textbooks then.

[Freestate316]

I’ve had to explain this fact endlessly to liberals, who think that America is a democracy, and not a republic. Without the electoral college, a candidate could win 48 states by 100,000 votes in each state, lose California and New York by 2.5 million votes each, and lose the election by 200,000 votes. Voters in other states would have no voice, as candidates would only focus on a few states. Our founding fathers had great wisdom.