Without control of any branch of government, Democrats have been reduced to their best role, pouting opposition. At the top of their current litany of complaints is the Electoral College, created by America’s founders and enshrined in Article II Clause 2 of the Constitution. Dean Karayanis explains the Democrats’ plan at The New York Sun, writing:
Replacing the Electoral College with a national popular vote is high on the Democratic wish list. Their criticism of how America chooses its chief executive echoes objections by “the Father of the Constitution,” President Madison, in whom they find an ally.
With the expiration of the 118th Congress this month, Senators Durbin, Schatz, and Welch’s constitutional amendment “to abolish the Electoral College” expired. It aimed “to provide for the direct election of the president and vice president,” expanding campaigns beyond swing states.
Mr. Schatz wrote that “the person who gets the most votes should win” and “no one’s vote should count for more based on where they live.” Mr. Durbin called the Electoral College an “18th century invention that disenfranchises millions.” Messages on whether they plan to reintroduce their amendment went unanswered.
Five times in American history, candidates who earned the most popular votes have lost the presidency. Since two of those elections — President George W. Bush in 2000 and President Trump in 2016 — occurred this young century, the issue is back on the public’s mind.
Prior to Mr. Bush, America had gone 112 years without the loser of the popular vote prevailing. That winner, President Benjamin Harrison, unseated President Cleveland. Twelve years before, President Hayes had also won thanks only to the Electoral College.
Although Mr. Trump, like Mr. Bush, won reelection and the popular vote, he did so by sweeping all seven swing states. Democrats argue that Vice President Harris might have triumphed in a popular vote system by running up numbers in populous blue areas where citizens had less incentive to vote.
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