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Well, actually I used the term "national" to try to distinguish it from senate and congressional races. The term "federal election" may in the minds of many in
by downandout 14y ago
Well, actually I used the term "national" to try to distinguish it from senate and congressional races. The term "federal election" may in the minds of many include senate and congressional races, both of which are decided exclusively by the vote within the state and aren't part of this discussion. Had I said "federal election" I would have undoubtedly been corrected on that point as well.
- vsync 14y agoI was trying to make the point that it's not an accident of history that the President isn't elected by popular vote, but for good reasons. The President isn't running just a big collection of people, he's running a union of states. The states send electors to choose the President, and each state take popular opinion into account by way of the popular vote. This is good because it means that each state's interest is represented (though the fact that only swing states get the focus is something that should be addressed). I live in Rhode Island and I like that we get some consideration. Large low-population states are another consideration. ...and on posting my reply I see this was already addressed very well in an earlier reply to a parent comment: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4737359 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4737359