Are you a part of the News/Talk 750 WSB VIP? Sign in or join now. Why join?
Find a problem with our new site? Tell us!
Text size: A A A
Jamie Dupree

Longshot Odds For New Election Reform Plans

By
Jamie Dupree
@ March 28, 2008 12:00 AM
Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
Like the yearly change of the seasons, the arrival of a Presidential election year tends to bring certain subjects to the fore, only to see them quickly recede and then lay dormant for, oh another four years.

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on Thursday served up two of The Greatest Hits of Election Reform Ideas, reiterating his support for a series of rotating regional Presidential primaries and a plan to scrap the Electoral College.

Both have been floated before, both have been part of calls for major change in the US election system and both seem unlikely to be approved anytime soon by the Congress and/or the American people.

The idea of getting rid of the Electoral College has been around for awhile, maybe since the Framers cobbled it together and then belatedly realized that they had a problem when two candidates on the same ticket got the same number of votes.

As I scratch my head to try to remember a time when it might have been ripe to have a debate about the idea of having the Electoral College decide a President versus a simple majority of US voters....hmmmm....I wonder when that was....

"What was the 2000 post-election fight in Florida?" (Applause.)

"I'll take US Election Reform Ideas for $200, Alex.

Yes, it hasn't even been eight full years since my brain overloaded on the Bush v Gore fight in Florida that stretched into December and all the way to the US Supreme Court.

And yet, the idea of getting rid of the Electoral College is no closer to having a chance now as in the immediate aftermath of that Bloody Battle.

As for the idea of rotating Presidential Primaries to "share the wealth" of the attention devoted to the selection process, it is a solid idea.

Why should Iowa and New Hampshire and other states dominate the process?

Answer - because they do.

This one has been tried before as well, and while maybe there will be a day when lawmakers in both parties agree on how best to conduct the primaries and caucuses without having them start in another calendar year, I wouldn't bet on this plan getting through the Congress either.

For Good Government Types, it makes great sense.

In the Grand Scheme of Politics, it might be nothing more than daydreaming.



0 TrackBacks

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Longshot Odds For New Election Reform Plans.

TrackBack URL for this entry: http://wsbradio.com/blogging/mt-tb.cgi/452


Avg. rating: N/A

What others are saying

There are no comments yet. Be the first to post one!

WSB 24 Hour Weather Center
Fair tonight. Lows: 53 subs 60 city. Thursday, sunny and warm. High: 83 | Get the 5-day Forecast

Atlanta weather

A Few Clouds
70°F
5-day forecast | Hurricane Guide

advertisement

Marketplace

Georgia Bulldogs Radio Network
Your online connection to Larry Munson and the Georgia Bulldogs Radio Network team!
Celebrate Mohawk Month
Win FREE flooring! Up to 40% off during the month of October. Details
Providing simple natural gas rate plans and great outstanding service. Get Comfortable.
Piedmont Heart Institute
Click here to take the HeartAware Risk Evaluation now.
Encore Azalea Online Seminar
“Planting Trees, Shrubs & Perennials: Right Plants in the Right Place” a Walter Reeves webinar. Watch Now
advertisement
Mercedes-Benz - Atlanta Arts Update
The “Atlanta Arts Update”, your complete calendar of Arts events in and around Atlanta. Details
Medsfile
Build and control your own online personal heath record. Details
Stay ahead of the storm. Find evacuation routes, safety tips and more in the Hurricane Guide .
Going Green
Help do your part to save water and reduce air pollution and greenhouse emissions. Go Green!
Read the AJC and stay on top of everything in Atlanta! Get delivery for less than $2 a week!
Join Channel 2 Action News anchors John Pruitt and Monica Pearson at 5, 6, and 11pm.