Ross Perot, and a frivilous electorate (even more) have a lot to answer for.
Six out of ten people did not vote for this guy his first run, and yet he became president. That isn't a hit against the EC; I think it's sound. But it's disconcerting to look at that figure, and even more disconcerting to look at what ensued.
He didn't get a majority the second time either...49.8%.