Posted on 11/25/2016 8:39:23 AM PST by dirtboy
Conventional wisdom tells us that the electoral college requires that the person who lost the popular vote this year must nonetheless become our president. That view is an insult to our framers. It is compelled by nothing in our Constitution. It should be rejected by anyone with any understanding of our democratic traditions — most important, the electors themselves.
The framers believed, as Alexander Hamilton put it, that “the sense of the people should operate in the choice of the [president].” But no nation had ever tried that idea before. So the framers created a safety valve on the people’s choice. Like a judge reviewing a jury verdict, where the people voted, the electoral college was intended to confirm — or not — the people’s choice. Electors were to apply, in Hamilton’s words, “a judicious combination of all the reasons and inducements which were proper to govern their choice” — and then decide. The Constitution says nothing about “winner take all.” It says nothing to suggest that electors’ freedom should be constrained in any way. Instead, their wisdom — about whether to overrule “the people” or not — was to be free of political control yet guided by democratic values. They were to be citizens exercising judgment, not cogs turning a wheel.
Many think we should abolish the electoral college... What if the people elect a Manchurian candidate? Or a child rapist? What if evidence of massive fraud pervades a close election? It is a useful thing to have a body confirm the results of a democratic election — so long as that body exercises its power reflectively and conservatively. Rarely — if ever — should it veto the people’s choice. And if it does, it needs a very good reason.
(Excerpt) Read more at kenm77.newsvine.com ...
“What if the people elect a Manchurian candidate?”
“Like Obama?”
The Washington Post clearly does not care. If they did, they would have looked into Obama’s background more closely.
Bezos is a MORON.
When a Party wins a State, that Party wins it's own electors.
So, the GOP has won the EC with 306 electors.
They can't vote Democrat.
I am so darned sick and tired of these idiots and others on social media claiming Trump is not the winner, put Hillary in, etc.
Turns my stomach upside down.
The Constitution leaves it to the State legislatures to determine a means for determining electors. They have done so. Theoretically, there could be 50 different methods in place. I expect there are a few, with some states allowing electors some latitude for elector judgement, and other states allowing none.
Wikipedia: “ Lessig was a candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, but withdrew before the primaries.”
Absolutely. Prepare if you have not already.
Wapo is bunion on the feet of mankind.
Prepare for what? Donald Trump is the president-Elect and nothing is going to change that. This is a bunch of silliness and we look foolish taking this nonsense seriously.
1960 World Series
Yankees score 55 runs
Pirate score 27 runs
Yankees win 3 games
Pirates win 4 games
Pirates are World Series champions
Why?
“It is compelled by nothing in our Constitution.”
Except as specifically set forth by the 12 amendment.
As you say, yeah it is incredible. And incomprehensible.
They have said some wild things before and they have often had contempt for those who disagree with them.
But this shows they don’t have respect for themselves either.
Look at this and all the other anti-Trump articles! The WaPo has become pathetic.
How many?
When the many includes 2/3 of the Congress and 3/4 of the state legislators the many can abolish the electoral college.
Until that time arrives the Constitution reigns supreme for the many and the few.
If the shtf, the Wapo and everyone associated with it will be held accountable for CWII. Did you hear that Pinch?
5.56mm
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha and ha!
We don’t live in “America” - a region - we live in one of the many voting STATES. This is civics 101. Each state has spoken.
You beat me to it.
Great points ..... that will be lost on liberals.
“WaPo advocating for civil war”
Propagandists always think they will survive the war.
The other Presidential Candidate won 18 States!
Since we are a Republic of the United STATES, the Presidential Candidate who won 32 States is the WINNER! ! Hello President Trump!
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