Quick general question, because I'VE changed my view on this in the last week.
Electoral college - keep it or lose it?
My view? I did think we should get rid of it, until something was pointed out to me.
The Electoral College was designed to keep the big states from lording over the small. I'd never considered this seriously until I thought about this (from a Gore supporter friend of mine who thinks we should keep it):
This election has proved WHY we should keep it. Gore essentially won ALL the big states, save FL and OH. Had he only won the 18 largest states, he'd have won the election. IF we don't have the electoral college, NONE of the small states will get a visit from the candidates (as, indeed, the Dakotas did not). They will focus on the largest urban areas and try to convince these areas they are the best candidate.
That said (and this doesn't play a role in my decision making...it actually played a role in my friend's), the Dems would have a HUGE advantage as urban areas are typically Democratic. Should this be the case, all you'd need to do is get out the vote from typical non-voters in all large urban areas....
Anyone's thoughts? |
