In today's society, why do we have the Electoral College? It only means politicians won't focus on popular vote and can win without it (i.e. President Bush).

I oppose the electoral college. Currently I am in Georgia and my vote for president will be thrown away for the immediate future. Very demoralizing. Of course, the old argument that without the college, candidates wouldn't bother spending time in smaller states still has a lot of power. Thats why this is only an academic question. It ain't gonna happen. If it didn't happen after the bush/GORE fiasco, it ain't gonna ever happen.

It's good idea gone wrong. But electoral college or not, it wouldn't have stopped someone like Bush to steal the elections. Where there is a will...

Right again. Where are these new smart posters coming from?

The depths of hell... If you asked a conservative. But really, I don't know.

ALL of you are Absolutely wrong about the Electoral College. It was put there for a distinct purpose, by our Founding Fathers. They had a healthy fear and loating of direct democracy, and for good reason. The country was set up as a Representative Republic, not a democracy. Most people do not even pay attention to this difference.

Here is one explanation, but it is more extensive than that. This explanation, is more detailed. Caution: the last link is to the Evil Heritage Foundation. Collectivists and Friendly Fascists don't forget your garlic. And here is another, about Popular Nonsense, which is exactly what a popular election , in which 'mob rule' is the rule, is all about.

However, if you are Hell bent on changing it, there is only one way to do it: A constitutional amendment process. But those of us, including myself, have every right to oppose and spend time and money defeating it. It is a proven fact that once the citizenry understands the true purpose of the Electoral College, they overwhelmingly favour it. Your chances of getting it changed are practically nil. Thank G-d for that!

I agree, it won't happen.
I think we could use a little more direct democracy.
First step, make ALL eligible adults VOTE.
If not, public bare asss spankings.

The founding fathers were right, populism is dangerous and we can see the effects today of a leader who think he is "popular" with his cowboys myths and think he has the political capital and support of the public to commit crimes in the name of freedom.

The two party system is maybe the real problem.

TQ that's not your first obstacle,
you first have to get everyone registered to vote.

In the 2004 Election 72% of the eligible population registered to vote,
of that 72% only 65% actually voted, so just 46% of eligible voters.
George W Bush was elected with 51% of that vote,
that's just 23% of the potential electorate.

As John L rightly points out, America is not a democracy.

Obviously, registration also required and AUTOMATIC. If the Aussies can do it, are they better than us Yanks?

The Electoral College ensures one needs support across a broad spectrum of the nation to get elected, instead of just a majority hugging certain population centers.

It serves a useful purpose.

It's more than a "useful purpose. It's an essential ingredient to preserving the system in which our Founders envisioned. I would do Anything to preserve this from being done away.

i think we have the technology to get rid of the elctroal college

Wow, very nice post.

Popular vote is not always (nor usually) best for the country as a whole. Without the electoral college, politicians could be influenced (while chasing the money) to support legislation that could inhibit food production or other domestic production in lesser populated states (as an example). On a personal note, I, for one, don't want to have to live with the choices made by the people of the land of fruits and nuts over there on the heavily populated left coast. I like the idea that the backbone of this country, though not the largest amount of bone in the system, gets some protection and representation. The legislative process is equalled out in the House of Representatives, where, more population = more representation. Electoral college makes people in all parts of the country, regardless of population, more, but not completely, equal on a Presidential basis. This is the only part of Federal Government, other than the Senate, where they have a nearly, but not quite, equal say.

I still don't get this assertion. Bush won, Gore sued to recount the votes only in heavily democratic counties (After that - dangling chad - might be he thought about voting for Gore indentation on the ballot recount- of those select counties... Gore still lost). Bush counter sued (And said any recount would have to include the entire State). Gore declined. Bush won. Game over.

Where there is a will...

Boh, good luck! The local anarchists simply cannot, and will not ever, get over the idea that Gore lost.

Who says there is not a Creator watching over us?

There is NO question that Gore has been a looser ALL his life. College transcripts forward at any rate. Perhaps he won a trophy at kiddo soccer or something.

...so he naturally attracts loosers, from all walks (stumbles) of life. He is their hero. They thought..."if he can win...maybe I can too....without earning it either."
Bean