GOP Panic Move Will Backfire

[babylonsister]

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2013/1/24/215314/023

GOP Panic Move Will Backfire

by BooMan
Thu Jan 24th, 2013 at 09:53:14 PM EST


Some Republican-controlled legislatures are moving ahead with plans to change the way their states apportion Electoral College delegates. It's not a particularly smart idea. If Virginia or Pennsylvania or some other state decides to change their system to create an advantage for the next Republican presidential candidate, that will obviously make it easier for that candidate to win the presidency. At least, it could, if the change sticks. The next election is four years away and the Democrats could retake control of those state legislatures and change the rules back to the way they have always been. The real problem, though, is that Barack Obama would still have won the presidency even if the Republicans had made these rules changes in all the states where they now have the technical power to do it.

It's true that Romney would have won the election if all 50 states awarded their delegates according to who won each congressional district, but that's not what the Republicans are trying to do. They are trying to change the rules in just a few blue states that voted for Obama but in which Romney carried more than half of the districts. That kind of change would have made the election closer, but it wouldn't have changed the outcome.

Obviously, these changes have the potential to alter the outcome of the 2016 election, but they are not a good substitute for fielding a more appealing candidate. In a very real way, this effort to change the rules smacks of desperation. It not only will galvanize the left for the midterms (so we can try to repeal the reforms), but it delegitimizes the eventual Republican nominee, the Republican Party, and our entire electoral system. Imagine if Romney had become president after losing by four percentage points and nearly five million votes! Does anyone think that would have been a healthy outcome?

But, you may remember, I predicted that this would happen. The GOP does not want to change and they will do what they can to compensate for their increasing unpopularity even if it means bending or outright breaking the rules. They are a neo-fascist party, and quite dangerous.

[BeyondGeography]

1. I would call them pigs but I like pigs

Maybe "Republican" does the trick.

[MoonRiver]

3. No animal deserves to be compared to the ReTHUGlicans!

Even the worm is too lofty a creature.

[global1]

2. Did This Electoral Change Come Up At The Repugs Recent Retreat They Just Had.....

was this a discussion point? Did they discuss taking back the presidency by doing this? Is this their plan?

[MoonRiver]

4. I heard it was discussed before the 2012 election.

I think the state was Ohio. Something stopped the THUGS, but can't remember what.

[rhett o rick]

5. The Republicans spend a lot of money with their think tanks

to come up with this shit.

[peace frog]

6. Not wise to assume their plan will fail

It's just as likely to succeed, if the other factors mentioned go forward in their favor. We will have to fight tooth and nail to change the direction this is headed, and I see no evidence of such a fight being waged at this time.

[randome]

7. There is nothing to fight until it becomes reality. It's all hypothetical at this point.

Democrats successfully stopped many of the voter suppression efforts last year and I don't doubt that these efforts will be stopped, too. But, yes, you're right, we should not assume that and do nothing.

[peace frog]

8. If there is "nothing to fight" as you state

then what exactly do we do, while waiting for their plan to become a reality?

[randome]

9. I suppose be ready to file the requisite lawsuits.

Maybe write our opposition if any of us are residents of a state that is trying this. Contact the Electoral College Commission (or whatever it's called) for info and to express our opposition.

I don't think these schemes of theirs will get past the federal courts. They can appeal all they want after that, of course. And then there are 'states rights' issues so nothing is given at this point.

[peace frog]

11. You have greater faith in the courts than I do

Again, it's just as likely the courts would rule in their favor.

[Bandit]

12. It is not at all hypothetical, there are already two states that do this......

Momentum is growing daily for the Republicans to do this and I fully expect they will indeed do it, at least in every state that is completely controlled by the GOP at this point in time...

[randome]

13. What 2 states are already doing this?

Or do you mean they have already filed legislation?

[Bandit]

14. Nebraska and Maine

They have been doing this since Bush* was first elected...

[randome]

16. I wasn't aware that ANY state had changed the way electoral votes are allocated.

Interesting. Although they have a slightly different allocation that awards remaining electoral votes to the winner of the district allocations. It's not what Virginia is proposing but it's still interesting.

And those 2 states could serve as precedent for Virginia and the others seeking changes.

I still think the author of the article is correct -this will backfire on the GOP.

[LeftInTX]

19. I have no idea whether any of this was challenged in those two states

Maine started this in 1972
Nebraska in 1992

I don't even know the motivation in Maine and Nebraska, but unless people in those states felt disenfranchised they would be not motivated to challenge those EV changes.

However, Republicans are obviously gaming the system this time. And what percentage of voters would be disenfranchised in those states?

[randome]

23. Actually, Maine started in the 1800s when they seceded from Massachusetts.

And Massachusetts apparently used this method in 1804, 1812 and 1820 elections, which is why Maine wanted to continue it.

Maine changed back to the 'normal' electoral allocation in 1828 and then back to the current system in 1972.

http://mentalfloss.com/article/13017/why-do-nebraska-and-maine-split-electoral-votes

A top GOP rep is protesting about this in Florida now. That's why I think the GOP is screwing themselves with trying anything. They are only going to drive their own supporters away.

[Ikonoklast]

10. The coming permanent Republican Party as minority status is not only coming, it has arrived.

They are trying to re-fight the last election.

IDIOTS.


If it ever comes to pass that the president is consistently elected with a minority vote in this nation, you will see an uprising by the disenfranchised the likes of which we have never witnessed in this country.

[great white snark]

15. From your mouth to...um...does the ether have ears?

Though I would hope the coming uprising happens sooner than later.

[Arugula Latte]

17. Unfortunately, though, they have all too much power in way too many states.

[Ikonoklast]

21. Demographic Change. You either embrace it, or the changes overwhelm you.

The Republican Party has an implacable foe that cannot be cheated, ignored, or circumvented.

They have chosen to ignore that growing problem up to now, with only a few voices on their side starting to raise the issue, to a response of nervous laughter from those that run the party.

The growing Hispanic voting demographic spells doom for them, and they know it, let alone thw White GenX'ers and Milllenials that ain't buyin' Republican social wedge issues as valid political policy.


They are in the stages of an End Game now.

They are desperately trying delaying tactics because they have finally realized far too late that what started under Reagan was unsustainable.

When the Republicans rode that Boomer wave of pissed-off White Men into power they made a massive error by ignoring the future makeup of the electorate.

And the call is for them to move even further Right as the answer.

I fervently hope that they do so

[Arugula Latte]

24. The Republican increase in power in states like Wisconsin and Michigan are disheartening, though.

I hope they can be reversed.

[nobodyspecial]

18. I would like to think that most Americans would see the inherent unfairness of this plan

and mobilize for change. To just cherry pick states that traditionally trend Democratic for this plan and leave GOP states alone is inherently unfair and distorts the Democratic process. I think most people still believe in fair play. I know I wouldn't support this plan if it benefitted Dems.

I want federal election laws for federal offices that lets everyone eligible to vote to be able to do so and their vote counts as much as anyone else's.

[FSogol]

20. K & R. Maybe they just the outcome to be closer to make stealing elections easier? n/t

[DerelictDeminGA]

22. This will further the erosion of the republican base

...by moderates jumping ship, declaring themselves Libertarian, Independent or Democrat. Anyone with a healthy conscience would never support this obviously desperate shit. I'm finding comfort in knowing our nation is watching this unfold.