U.S. Politics

[Badger]

It's almost hard to imagine swing states not being a thing anymore.

Wouldn't it be glorious?

GFY, Ohio and Florida.

[AlioTheFool]

http://bedford.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/ny-joins-pact-to-elect-presidents-by-popular-vote

Do ittttt

On the one hand, I'm all for the popular vote being the determinate factor for the Presidency. On the other, this defeats the purpose of the Electoral College and makes our local votes less meaningful. The best solution is still to get rid of the Electoral College altogether.

Maybe this is one of those "Let's get this done and show everyone how outdated the system actually is, then we'll work on eliminating it" actions?

[Fenwyr]

Going with a straight popular vote in all elections would be the most fair.

In the long run it could hurt Democrats in presidential elections though.  Texas is on the verge of becoming a swing state.  With New York and California guaranteed, if Texas starts leaning blue no other state would need to bother voting.  With a straight popular vote this trifecta would be all but eliminated.

From a selfish standpoint, I am in favor of keeping the EC.  My moral side says it should go away.

[ons]

From a selfish standpoint, I am in favor of keeping the EC.  My moral side says it should go away.

If minority voters keep on voting overwhelmingly for Democrats, Republicans are going to have a tough time no matter what the election format is.

[Fenwyr]

If minority voters keep on voting overwhelmingly for Democrats, Republicans are going to have a tough time no matter what the election format is.

But...

You have to account for the fact that CA has a huge redneck/farmer population, as does NY.  Right now their votes are pointless.  Popular vote puts them back in play.  Granted alot of that would be made up in some of the southern states where dem votes are pointless, but it would change the entire game.

If Texas continues to evolve the way it is, it will become the only swing state that matters for dems under the current system.  CA and NY are in the bag.  If you get TX you can't lose.  F FL and F OH at that point.

Either system we go with, I cannot imagine another republican president for the foreseeable future.

[Badger]

There is zero legitimate reason to not want popular voting. It's 2014, come on.

[Tommy]

The swing state thing is annoying, but I'm a traditionalist. I don't think we should change for the sake of changing. If anything I'd like to see changes made to campaign donations, etc. unions and corporations shouldn't be able to donate to campaigns.

[dcm1602]

The swing state thing is annoying, but I'm a traditionalist. I don't think we should change for the sake of changing. If anything I'd like to see changes made to campaign donations, etc. unions and corporations shouldn't be able to donate to campaigns.

They're gonna donate anyway, even if it's illegal for them to do so. They'll just use back channels and all kinds of shady things.

So might as well make it legal so everything is somewhat more transparent.

[Ignatius J Reilly]

The swing state thing is annoying, but I'm a traditionalist. I don't think we should change for the sake of changing. If anything I'd like to see changes made to campaign donations, etc. unions and corporations shouldn't be able to donate to campaigns.

It's not changing for the sake of changing.  It's changing because the system has been horribly outdated for ages.  Tradition isn't a reason to keep things that are broken within the system, although it's frequently used as an excuse to do just that.

As for the other, good luck.  You can make it more difficult by making it illegal, but that's about it.

[Miamipuck]

John Stewart destroying Sean Hannity

I loved this, Hannity is unwatchable garbage.

[Fenwyr]

John Stewart destroying Sean Hannity

I loved this, Hannity is unwatchable garbage.

Saw that as well.  Hannity got his poop pushed in.

[Heismanberg]

"You are the Arby's news"

[Fenwyr]

Arby's...  The Hannity of roast beef.

[Tommy]

I hate all of those shows. I used to watch while Bush was president when they just spent most of the time defending him against dumb attacks from the left, now they spend their time making dumb attacks against Obama. Both sides do this. MSNBC during the Bush years was basically what Fox News is today. Same with John Stewart. He isn't exactly impartial.

The problem is that most viewers have their minds made up already. They watch these shows because listening to people voice your own opinions is comforting. It's a form of entertainment. Watching the other side just makes you angry.

Basically, freak all these shows. Anyone who watches either religiously is just a shill for one side. That's all.

[Heismanberg]

Anyone who watches either religiously is just a shill for one side. That's all.

The Daily Show is funny.  That's why I watch it.