Popular Vote Movement Makes Headway

http://www.wral.com/news/political/story/1138196/ ^

[LC HOGHEAD]

BISMARCK, N.D. — A movement to essentially junk the Electoral College and award the presidency to the winner of the nationwide popular vote is making some headway in states large and small - including, somewhat improbably, North Dakota.

The National Popular Vote movement is aimed at preventing a repeat of 2000, when Democrat Al Gore lost despite getting more votes than George W. Bush.

Backers are asking states to change their laws to award their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the popular vote nationally.

A bill to do that was introduced last week in the North Dakota Legislature, even though it could reduce the political influence of small states like North Dakota.

"Its strength is, it is what the people want," said one of the sponsors, Rep. Duane DeKrey, Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. "It kind of takes out that system where the person who gets the most votes doesn't necessarily win."

[gcruse]

That's the regimen, alright. As Justice Thomas said, the Commerce Clause under that kind of interpretation can be used to regulate every aspect of American life. What republic?

[Pontiac]

Oh by the way, did you by the tax stamps for that MJ.

[gcruse]

I regret to say that every bit of it went up in smoke before I could do that.

[Azzurri]

John Koza, a Stanford University professor who is one of the idea's principal advocates

Stanford used to be a good school.

LOL, this clown even invented a BOARD GAME back in 1966 based on the Electoral College. I guess the Electoral College only recently is without merit, in his opinion.

And, shockingly, here are his political donations
Maxed out contributions of $2,000 to the candidates below:
John Edwards
John Kerry
Howard Dean
Dick Gephardt
Joe Lieberman
Bob Graham
Wesley Clark
DNC ($19,166)

[Roy Tucker]

What a bonehead is DeKrey. I wonder what he thinks will be left of North Dakota once all the money and attention goes to the most populous states?

Just put a gun to his head and ask him to pull the trigger.

[Pontiac]

Your right it is shocking.

A College Professor who donates only to Democrats

He doesn't support diversity.

I wonder if the Dean knows about his dirty little secret.

[skr]

Once Los Angeles and New York City take over, none of the rest of us will ever be heard from again.

As if voter fraud isn't bad enough now. The big cities' cemeteries will trump small town graveyards every time.

[jonrick46]

The smaller states should logically resist the elimination of the Electoral Collage. Not so for the DemonRATs. If such small population states were in the hands of DemonRATs, I am certain they would vote to eliminate the Electoral Collage. DemonRATs are collectivists. For them, the control of the Executive Branch would be worth the loss of political influence. For that reason, the elimination of the Electoral Collage could happen with the DemonRATs in power. This is one of their agenda items.

[Doc91678]

The biggest mistake America and Americans can do is do away with the Electoral College. Each state has its popular vote and each state has its Electoral College vote. This has served America for 200 plus years. Why should we change it now?

[Roy Tucker]

Yup, and last I saw the vast wave of illegal immigrants weren't flocking to North Dakota (geese and pheasant maybe)but to the big cities on the coast. As they say in New York, "What a putz!"

[Republican Babe]

............Hitlery came out for this several years ago.

This is the way Hitlery can win. Then comes the popular movie/rock star to get elected POTUS when all the MTV and movie goers decide to form their political party. The MSM will be another branch of government.

Down with the Republic as the framer's meant it to be. Don't be too sure that there aren't enough liberal Rats in the small states to sacrifice their state's influence in presidential elections. They will be convinced that their votes will democratize America. To our uneducated masses this sounds proper and good.

Our founding fathers knew democracy would mean anarchy.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

"Lawrence Jacobs, a University of Minnesota political science professor...said dissatisfaction with the Electoral College system is growing, even in states that may benefit from the current setup. A lot of Americans "don't like the Electoral College system. They find it to be out of step with expectations about democracy, expectations that our founding fathers did not necessarily share," he said.

The professor is clearly trying to point out the fact that the Founders did not want a democracy.

[mkjessup]

...the Founders did not want a democracy.

And thank God they didn't. Pure unbridled democracy is nothing but absolute confusion and is barely distinguished from an unruly mob.

Thanks for clarifying that WO4TG, our Founding Fathers were far wiser than these latter day mental midgets posing as professors and philosophers, who think nothing of tampering with the foundations of our Constitutional Republic, oblivious to the chaos they would be unleashing.

[saganite]

I think that's a distinct advantage and precisely why the founders set it up that way.

[gcruse]

It's a distinct advantage to people whose voting power is amplified because of where they live. Make of that what you will.

[saganite]

The alternative is a campaign conducted in the major metropolitan areas with no concern for any problems but theirs. This movement is aimed precisely at achieving that goal. If you like liberal policies designed to appeal to the urban dweller this is right up your alley.

[Celtman]

marijuana grown and consumed within the limits of your property comes under the Commerce Clause, there is no republic.

Wheat grown and consumed within the limits of your property comes under the Commerce Clause since FDR's second Agricultural Adjustment Act.

[Celtman]

Nope.  Seems like a problem to me.

[gcruse]

You are correct. I'm not saying the EC is without benefit, just that it has a downside, too.

[kcvl]

Director of the 2004 Elections Project

Lawrence Jacobs, Professor

Walter F. and Joan Mondale Chair for Political Studies
Dr. Jacobs directs the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance in the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute.

Task Force on Inequality and American Democracy.

Dr. Jacobs serves as the Campaign Analyst for the CBS affiliate in Minnesota (WCCO, Channel 4)

Dr. Jacobs has recently received grants from both the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Ford Foundation