[Marxism] An interesting run-around against the electoral college

[Brian Shannon <brian_shannon@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

This is a gimmick, of course, not a true reform. Assuming no veto by  
Schwarzenegger, it will be interesting to see if there can be a  
pairing up with other states.
Brian

_________________

A Vote to Quit the Electoral College
Legislators pass a bill that could launch a national movement to  
elect the president by popular vote.
By Nancy Vogel, Los Angeles Times

August 31, 2006

SACRAMENTO — Lawmakers sent Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a bill  
Wednesday that would make California the first state to jump aboard a  
national movement to elect the president by popular vote.

Under the legislation, California would grant its electoral votes to  
the nominee who gets the most votes nationwide — not the most votes  
in California. Get enough other states to do the same, backers of the  
bill say, and soon presidential candidates will have to campaign  
across the nation, not just in a few key "battleground" states such  
as Ohio and Michigan that can sway the Electoral College vote.

"Frankly, the current system doesn't work," said Assemblyman Rick  
Keene (R-Chico), the only Republican to vote for the bill.  
"Presidential candidates don't bother to visit the largest state in  
the nation…. California is left out."

If Schwarzenegger signs the bill — AB 2948 by Assemblyman Tom Umberg  
(D-Anaheim) — California will be the first state to embrace the  
"national popular vote" movement, though legislation is pending in  
five other states: New York, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado and Louisiana.

The California legislation would not take effect until enough states  
passed such laws to make up a majority of the Electoral College votes  
— a minimum of 11 states, depending on population.

The governor's office said Schwarzenegger has not taken a position on  
the bill.

Many Republicans spoke against the legislation, arguing that it was  
an "end run" around the U.S. Constitution and would drive  
presidential candidates to campaign in big cities and ignore rural  
areas.

"Those who are running for president," said Assemblyman Kevin  
McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), "are going to talk to Los Angeles and San  
Francisco."

http://makeashorterlink.com/?D28015CAD
OR
<http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-legis31aug31,0,4024121.story? 
coll=la-home-local>

For more information on California electoral reform go to:
http://www.jerel.com/jim/CferCampaigns/state.htm
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