[jdonn]

cherdano, on Jan 5 2008, 08:20 AM, said:

That's maybe because most of the arguments typically brought forward in favor of the electoral college are not well-thought out, or are just explaining why it was a good idea in the 18th century?

That may well be, but I'm quite sure almost none of them have even been considered by most people who say "The person who gets the most votes can lose?? Ridiculous!!!" It's quite another thing to consider then reject the arguments, as you seem to have done.

I think criticism of things written in Wiki are inherently pointless. If you don't like what it says you know what to do

[mike777]

Funny enough I missed all the tv stations that night forgetting to say that Mrs Clinton still has the lead in delegates at this point.

Yes the only state to vote, Iowa..well even they have not really voted on delegates yet, but if even so Mrs. Clinton is still in the lead with decided delegates. There are SuperDelegate votes.

[cherdano]

jdonn, on Jan 5 2008, 12:18 PM, said:

cherdano, on Jan 5 2008, 08:20 AM, said:

That's maybe because most of the arguments typically brought forward in favor of the electoral college are not well-thought out, or are just explaining why it was a good idea in the 18th century?

That may well be, but I'm quite sure almost none of them have even been considered by most people who say "The person who gets the most votes can lose?? Ridiculous!!!" It's quite another thing to consider then reject the arguments, as you seem to have done.

I think criticism of things written in Wiki are inherently pointless. If you don't like what it says you know what to do

Well. We can't spend our time thinking through arguments about anything we have an opinion on, we have to be selective. This filtering is done by guesses, prejudices, etc. In this case, if someone didn't bother to think through any arguments defending the electoral college because "there are just Americans defending what they are used to without really having thought it through" (prejudice!) then I would say his filter worked reasonably well in this case.

Unfortunately there is too much on wikipedia that is somewhat biased, and a huge amount of just badly written articles. Once I am tenured in Harvard maybe I can start wasting my time on improving that situation

[mike777]

If the choice is between the screwy electoral process or a pure majority of votes, put me down for electoral college.

I do not want Calif, tx, fla and NY and a never meet me, only ty/big money approach, to be able to be such an overriding influence....big one...ok money is very important, but lets not make it even bigger without the electoral college. Ok call me wary of that change.

btw I hate hate mccain/feingold...I say let all the money in but full, fast disclosure. Yes, this will be imperfect!