Murmurs of GOP Opposition to Electoral College Changes in PA

[WI_DEM]

I hope this can be stopped because Obama is going to need all the electoral votes he can get next year (of course the solution is to abolish the electoral college altogether):

Republican opposition

Take a look at the suburban Philadelphia swing districts – currently represented by Republicans Jim Gerlach, Mike Fitzpatrick, Pat Meehan, and Charlie Dent – and examine the results of the last presidential election. In 2008, Obama won Gerlach’s district by 19 points, Fitzpatrick’s by 9, and Meehan’s and Dent’s by 13 each.

It’s not hard to imagine why some of these members are nervous about the proposal, and uncomfortable with the idea of the full force of a presidential campaign trying to turn out Democratic voters in 2012 and beyond.

“If I’m Jim Gerlach or Mike Fitzpatrick, I’m telling my allies in Harrisburg to push back against this with leadership,” said one PA-based GOP consultant with ties to all four southeast PA Republican congressmen.

The Morning Call checked in with two of those four members:

U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, a Republican who represents the Lehigh Valley, worried about the political effect on non-presidential races. “I’m probably a little reluctant to be supportive of it … on political grounds,” he said.

The move could cause political heartburn for Republican congressmen in marginal seats around Philadelphia, who usually are spared a big get-out-the-vote effort by the Democratic Party.

Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach acknowledged that the increased attention in his Chester County-based district could have an impact, but was reluctant to fully dismiss the idea.

“I’d like to learn a little more about why they think that’s a good idea for the commonwealth,” Gerlach said. “We’re going to talk about it as a delegation this week to get some sense of our members, what we think the pros and cons of that might be.”

And some DC Republicans aren’t thrilled either – not just from a congressional perspective, but because it looks like the party is throwing in the towel on Pennsylvania in 2012.

“Have you seen ’s numbers in Pennsylvania? He is highly vulnerable next year. We don’t to win Pennsylvania in 2012 and have an asterisk next to it,” said one source close to the Republican National Committee.

http://www.politicspa.com/murmurs-of-gop-opposition-to-electoral-college-changes/27756/

[WhiteTara]

1. It is so hard to make sense of what the guy has to say

“Have you seen ’s numbers in Pennsylvania? He is highly vulnerable next year. We don’t to win Pennsylvania in 2012 and have an asterisk next to it,” said one source close to the Republican National Committee.

[Proud Public Servant]

2. I'm guessing that should read

“Have you seen his numbers in Pennsylvania? He is highly vulnerable next year. We don’t want to win Pennsylvania in 2012 and have an asterisk next to it,” said one source close to the Republican National Committee.

In other words, the GOP thinks they can win PA outright, but with this plan in place they won't actually get all 20 votes.