Al Franken endorses Amendment 36 for Colorado!

[Kanary]

mods: I believe this topic reaches beyond the election, as it has to do with the Electoral College in general, and states efforts to make it more workable. That topic has been debated on GD for quite some time.

Broadcasting from Boulder, CO, Franken concluded his interview with the Democratic backer of #36, by saying "I came into this discussion undecided, and am now convinced of the value of this amendment." (That last is the closest I could come to remembering his exact words. If there is a transcript later, I would appreciate any corrections being done in a polite manner.)

Saying that he has always argued against doing away with the Electoral College, mainly because it just won't happen, Franken said this seems to be an "elegant solution" (his term) to the problem, and, "if constitutional", would give states a way to make every vote count.

I had come to the same conclusion by a slightly different route, and really appreciated hearing his assessment. I hope the transcript will be available later, so doubters can peruse yet one more reasoned support of this amendment. He didn't mention that Nebraska and Maine have already passed similar measures, and I wonder how many states are now considering such a move.

Kanary

[donheld]

1. this is good news

lets just hope we in colorado as well as more states can pass this:bounce: :7 :bounce: B-) :bounce: B-)

[FuzzyHamster]

10. avatar

Donheld, what does your avatar mean? I've seen it on bumper stickers.

[donheld]

17. it is the logo from the Human Rights Campaign

a gay and lesbian rights organization

[Guaranteed]

14. Just typically red states, though.

Southern states.

If states like California, Illinois or New York pass this, it's going to hurt us BAD.

[dansolo]

2. As long as it is not by congressional districts

If a state goes to a proportional distribution for electoral votes, then they should be divided by the popular vote over the entire state, not by congressional districts, which is how Maine and Nebraska does it. Gerrymandering is already a significant problem, and it will only get worse if the electors for president are also selected by districts.

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. Yes, Gerrymandering is definitely an issue. Our lone

Green legislator got realigned out of his district ... by the Dems. :(

[tridim]

3. I'm still trying to decide how to vote on 36

If it looks like Kerry is going to carry CO, it'd be dumb to vote for 36 and give Bush a few free EV's. Overall I think it's a good idea, but I wish it wouldn't take immediate effect. It should take effect in 4 years.

[LDS Jock]

4. I'm new to this.. question for you

If it does pass in November, it will be in effect for the election results immediately? By that I mean, it will start with this election, spliting up the electoral votes instead of waiting til 2008. I thought it was to wait. Are you positive on that?

[tridim]

6. It takes effect immediately

Meaning THIS election. It doesn't seem fair to force people to vote for something that could alter the outcome on the same election. For instance, if it becomes clear that Bush is going to lose Colorado, I expect Republicans will vote for 36, against their beliefs. Likewise, I'd probably vote against it in the same situation, against my beliefs that the electoral college is a dinosaur. Two or three EV's could swing this election.

In other words, unrelated polling for the presidential race is going to directly affect the way people vote on 36. That's not right.

[LDS Jock]

7. sorry to hear that

That amendment isn't going to be voted on for its own merits by only by which could most help the voter's presidential candidate. Too bad. This idea does have some merit.

[Guaranteed]

13. No, you HAVE to vote FOR this.

TAKE the free 4 EV's. Seriously.

Sorry, don't mean to tell you how to vote. But, seriously. Just take 'em. It's hugely important.

[Artemis Bunyon]

5. And his idiot co-host mocks environmental activists.

In response to finding out that people who belong to environmental organizations only vote one or two percent more often than the general public, she said (in a mocking tone) "Well what's wrong with these people? If you want to save the spotted owl you have to get out there and vote!"

Al caught onto her tone and gravely corrected her, and she backed down.

Anybody else catch this?

[nostalgicaboutmyfutr]

8. the best solution

would be to implement the colorado amendment 36 in all states at the same time....because of the note above that the vote will have a lot to do with who is winning the day before the election....

[Kanary]

12. Which has as much chance of happening as getting rid of Electoral College

Which is why I posted Franken's comments.

Given that he called it "Elegant", I think it has to be considered seriously.

NOW, if all the other states would get bizzzzy on this......as I asked in my initial post, how many other states are considering this now?

Kanary

[paulk]

9. A good reason to oppose 36

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=822000&mesg_id=822217&page=


Please read this...

[wuushew]

15. kick

:kick:

[Kanary]

16. another no-win situation

If Colorado passes this, and gets a few EVs for Kerry, and Kerry loses by a few EVs, Colorado voters will be blamed.

If Colorado *doesn't* pass this, and the state goes for *, and Kerry loses by a few EVs, Colorado voters willl be blamed.

Ya gotta love those no-win situations, when living in a nation of blamers.

Kanary