The Latest in a Tradition of Republican Obstruction in California and the Nation

There is nothing to stop Democrats from doing similiar initiatives in the 17 "red" states that voted for Bush both times and which have the initiative. Also there is nothing to stop the Democrats from passing similar laws in the state legislatures of Arkansas, New Mexico and North Carolina (Democrats have the governor, and both houses of the legislature, in all 3 states, but all 3 states voted for Bush in 2004). Democrats should fight fire with fire and stop acting like helpless weaklings. Also Democrats in many states have the clout to pass the National Popular Vote Plan, if they just would do so.

Actually this was originally a Democrat's idea that goes all the way back to 2001. The Democrats in North Carolina passed the same law last summer and only pressure from the DNC convinced the Governor to veto the bill. The Republicans in NC put forth the arguments against this change that you put forth here.

Excerpts from NC Policy Watch:

Republicans called the bill politically motivated and a way to attempt to eliminate their stranglehold on electoral votes in the state. House Minority Leader Paul Stam estimated that Democrats could receive three of the state's electoral votes if the new system took effect with the 2008 elections, with the outcome close in two other congressional districts.

"This is a political act," said Stam, R-Wake.

An identical measure passed the Senate and a House committee in 2001, but never came to the House floor. This year, however, Democrats hold 68 seats - six more members in the chamber compared to six years ago. That gives them a little more room to win in case some conservative Democratic legislators balk at the change.

State GOP spokesman Brent Woodcox said Democrats are just trying to change the rules because Democrats have offered national candidates whose values don't align with the state's voters.

"Liberal Democrats are not going to be elected in North Carolina," Woodcox said.

The change would increase citizen engagement, Meek said. Black voters, most of whom support Democrats, have nothing to show for their support in Southern states where electoral votes have gone to the Republicans, he said.

"We think it's more equitable," Meek said. "When you have an election when you have 44 percent of the vote for a participating candidate but 0 percent of that state's electoral vote goes to the candidate, then we have a problem."

Both sides are guilty as charged. There is no such thing as honest politics and you wonder why US citizens in general do not trust the government? Everything that comes out of the mouths of supposed pubic servants has a hidden agenda. As a regular citizen I am completely sick of the whole political gamesmanship. You wonder why people vote NO no matter what the initiative is about? Gee I wonder.
Because they know that buried in the small print is the real goal of the initiative. People are tired taking those chances. VOTE NO ON EVERYTHING until there is simplicity in the issue.

I vote in every election, but until they make it simple it gonna be NO. I am a Republican.

So, Shawn--Where are you on this one?

Im voteing NO on any thing but the prisons bills
its no no no on all.. because the laws are not for the people of calif any more its just a big joke

Stealing 20 electoral votes through deception is a lot more serious than stealing 2 or 3 as appears to be the case in the Democratic attempts in Red states. Twenty is more than enough to swing a presidential election. I agree with Arthur Schlesinger who advocated awarding the winner of the popular vote with an additional 100 electoral votes thereby ensuring that the winner of the popular vote would always win in the electoral college. Bifurcating California's votes would be a disaster for the nation and for the state -- we are far more important than Colorado or Arkansas or N. Carolina.

My point was the Democrats and Republicans are both willing to use the same tactics to win. I am highly amused when either party claims a moral superiority when it comes to how they win elections. Both are capable and willing to bend rules/laws to their favor. To claim otherwise is to be blinded to the reality of politics.

I find your lack of respect for U.S. citizens residing outside of California disturbing. But since those who drafted the Constitution realized that people in large states would think like you they crafted the Electoral College to prevent large states from dominating the national elections. I can't imagine you could ever get 2/3s of the states to go along with the popular vote winner getting an additional 100 votes. Those in Colorado, Arkansas and North Carolina happen to think they count as much as California.

As a Libertarian I find much fault with both Democrats and Republicans, so when the pot calls the kettle black I speak up.

California would be the sixth largest economy in the world if it were an independent nation. It is the agricultural center of the world. Apple computers and Netscape and Yahoo and Google and Myspace and all of the other innovations vis-a-vis high tech industry originated in California. The public education system was the best in the world until Republican administrations and legislators began gutting it because they don't believe in the public sector. These creative innovations did come from Republican states where the people are too busy thumping bibles and bashing gays, lesbians, blacks, immigrants and anybody else who doesn't look like Rush Limbaugh -- so, sorry, yeah, I am biased in favor of my home state -- you probably like to watch TV and go to the movies too don't you? Well, that all comes from California too. So just stay in your wonderful state and leave us West Coasters alone -- good riddance!

This is why we should do away with the Electoral College and go with the majority count.

It looks like the initiative to apportion California's presidential electors has been withdrawn. see http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_j.htm

1250. (07-0016, Amdt. #1NS)

Requirements for Presidential Electors. Statute.

Summary Date: 07/02/07 Withdrawn: 11/27/07

Don't know why we haven't seen this in the news, though.

RXBUSA: you had me going there for a few seconds. This is another proposed ballot initiative.

While those still pushing for signatures on the one that is likely to be on the June or November ballot should withdraw it, as it is going to go down in flames, they are not.

oh never mind. The "Presidential Reform Act" initiative has not been withdrawn.

See http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_j.htm#1268

Frank D. Russo, yeah I thought it was too good to be true. It woulda been all over the news if it was.

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