Electoral College

I believe the electoral college is a good system. We are both Ron Paul supporters so this should be fun. Present your case.

I would like to thank my opponent for challenging me to this debate. Since my opponent wants me to "present my case", my first argument will be in this round. To be fair to my opponent, I will skip the last round to keep equal debating rounds. If I am wrong, please tell me.

I. Unequal Attention to Swing States

"They [candidates] spend time in large "swing states," or states where the outcome is uncertain. Almost all small states are ignored."[1]

Why? Because smaller states have fewer delegates. In addition, it is easier to sway swing states than it is in one-party states. Swing states will define a presidential election. "Due to the unit rule, competitive big states have far more electoral votes in play, meaning that a shift of 1,000 votes in a big state can result in a far greater gain in electoral votes than a comparable swing of 1,000 votes in a small state."[2] If California and Wyoming are swing states, California will be worth 18 times more, ergo they campaign in California, and never Wyoming. So even if small states are swing states, they still won't be visited.

"Of the 18 states with the smallest populations, 10 experienced absolutely no television ads or candidate visits with public events during the peak season of 2008 campaigns. Eleven of the 12 smallest states did not have a single campaign visit."[2] As shown, smaller states receive little, if any attention.

II. A Minority-Vote President

"The Electoral College system can result in the election of a "minority" president who has received fewer popular votes than a principal opponent but more electoral college votes. The Electoral College system has in the past led to the election of three "minority" presidents, namely, National Republican John Quincy Adams in 1824, Republican Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876, and Republican Benjamin Harrison in 1888."[3]

The Electoral College can elect a popular-minority president. Simple math can be used to show how if necessary.

�"'If 60,000 votes had switched from Bush to [Sen. John] Kerry in Ohio, Kerry would have won the election, even though Bush would have had a majority of the vote,' by 2.5 million votes."[1] There have also been several close calls. That's a 2.5 million people swing. That can really change the vote.

Sources:

[1]:http://www.christianpost.com...
[2]:http://www.fairvote.org...
[3]:http://www.elections.alaska.gov...

Arguments extended.

Vote con.