Gowdy Defends Electoral College: My Colleagues Should Read the Constitution

Townhall.com ^ | December 20, 2016 | Cortney O'Brien

[Kaslin]

The Founding Fathers were "geniuses," Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) said during a forum on free speech with Concerned Veterans for America on Monday. The South Carolina congressman spoke up to defend the Electoral College just as Donald Trump officially won the 2016 election. Many have been questioning the legitimacy of the Electoral College, considering Hillary Clinton won the popular vote last month. Gowdy, however, rejected the idea that the election process could be interpreted and altered with each new generation.

"Some of my colleagues like the Electoral College, some of them don't," Gowdy said. "It depends on whether or not their gal or guy won. We ought to have a little more commitment to principle than just that."

As for himself, Gowdy said he'd like the Electoral College even if the result had been different because he understands the framers gave it to us for a reason. Yet, some of his colleagues, like Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) have petitioned to abolish the process. He wonders if she and other colleagues of the same mind have even looked at a copy of the U.S. Constitution.

"I would just settle for more of my colleagues first of all reading the document, and second of all not confusing it with the Declaration of Independence." 

"Our framers were worried about the power of government, which is why they placed these limitations," he explained. "It will work if we will apply it consistently."

[clintonh8r]

Why read the Constitution? I mean it’s not like it’s a bill they’re voting on or something.....And just because they swore an oath to uphold and defend it.....

[C210N]

Why read the Constitution?

Actually, we tried that in the House one or two election cycles (2010/2012?). Each member read a line or two out line in turn, 'Rats included.

Apparently, it's not enough to read it. To really understand it and all that it is about, takes study and comparison with other material - Federalist papers, anti-Federalist papers, Declaration. For extra credit, the writings of Madison, Adams, and others. Seems to me the minimal understanding should be the least one has to attain to then get $174,000 of taxpayer money as their salary.

[C210N]

out line in turn = out loud in turn

[Sooth2222]

Of all of the G7 (large, economically developed) countries, 1 (one) directly elects its Head of State -- France! (Mexico does, too!)

Not sure I'd want to live in a country that's more like France and Mexico.

[SteveH]

Newsweek’s johnny-come-lately salty tears over the Electoral College

Arguments in Favor of the Electoral College—And Why They’re Wrong
By Robert Speel On 11/19/16 at 6:00 AM

http://www.newsweek.com/arguments-favor-electoral-college-wrong-522439

In November 2000, newly elected New York Senator Hillary Clinton promised that when she took office in 2001, she would introduce a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College, the 18th-century, state-by-state, winner-take-all system for selecting the president.

She never pursued her promise—a decision that must haunt her today. In this year’s election, she won more votes than Donald Trump, but lost by a significant margin in the Electoral College.

[...]

[toast]

One of Minnesota’s electors cast his vote for Bernie rather than Hillary. He said it was a protest against the winner take all system of the electoral college.

His comment was “I don’t believe the Constitution is in line with the law”.

[Raycpa]

"I would just settle for more of my colleagues first of all reading the document,

Heretic.

[SteveH]

[ridesthemiles]

she won more votes than Donald Trump, but lost by a significant margin in the Electoral College.”””

When all the voted made by persons NOT eligible to vote in the first place are removed from Shrillary’s vote count, DJT was the winner in every type of vote count.

[ridesthemiles]

His comment was “I don’t believe the Constitution is in line with the law”.”””

Someone please tell us that this ‘Electoral College Voter’ is stripped of his eligibility to ever vote again.

He is too stupid & wrong to be given that privilege.

[toast]

He was a muzzie.
He was also removed due to state law and replaced.

[Mollypitcher1]

Different system, as is England’s. Our government is unique. We are not a “Democracy.” We are a Republic.

[Mr.Unique]

I don’t believe the Constitution is in line with the law

I'd love to see the exact quote.

[toast]

I should have looked it up before, I was going from memory.
Exact quote:
“I’ll just say that I don’t believe that the constitution fits with the law,”

http://www.fox9.com/news/224565102-story

[Mr.Unique]

Thanks

[bnacat]

Toast, anyone:

Please post name of this idiot MN elector. I keep a file of favorite quotes. To be filed under Idiots_Demo/Lib.

[toast]

Muhammad Abdurrahman

[itsahoot]

Seems to me the minimal understanding should be the least one has to attain to then get $174,000 of taxpayer money as their salary.

Minimal understanding=Where da lobbyists?

[NTHockey]

All this talk of doing away with the Electoral College won’t go away. I’ve come up with a solution that will silence the proponents of changing the rules.
1. ALL present voter registration records are destroyed.
2. IN PERSON registration with photo, if you want to vote.
3. No proxy registration permitted.
4. Absentee ballots for military ONLY.
5. Paper ballots only, with purple dye after voting.
6. Police-type chain of custody for ballots.
7. Discrepancies in vote total are not counted as votes.
8. ANY conviction for fraud - 20 years in prison, no parole and $1 million per fraudulent vote.

That takes care of the dead voters, illegals, 500 people at same address and “Mickey Mouse” registrations. Of course, the enemy will never agree to these terms.