Birch Bayh electoral college interview, 1969

Summary

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Takeaways

• 😀 Constitutional amendments are challenging to pass, as demonstrated by the lengthy process of the 25th Amendment.
• 😀 The chance for Electoral College reform is higher now than ever before, given the current system's flaws.
• 😀 The current Electoral College system is seen as outdated and dangerous, needing reform to reflect modern electoral needs.
• 😀 Reform should meet three criteria: personal involvement of the people, equal voting power for everyone, and a clear winner determined by the most votes.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that the president should be elected directly by the people, just like other public officials.
• 😀 The speaker’s proposal for Electoral College reform has broad support from organizations like the Bar Association, Chamber of Commerce, and labor groups.
• 😀 The proposal aims to make the electoral process more responsive to the needs of modern society.
• 😀 Direct popular elections would ensure that every citizen’s vote is counted equally.
• 😀 The speaker argues that the man who wins the most votes should be the one who becomes president.
• 😀 The speaker advocates for a system that prioritizes the will of the people over the current electoral system.

Q & A

What is the main issue being discussed in the transcript?

The main issue is the reform of the Electoral College system and the proposal for direct popular elections in U.S. presidential elections.

Why does the speaker believe it is difficult to amend the U.S. Constitution?

The speaker notes that amending the Constitution is exceptionally difficult, citing their experience working on the 25th Amendment, which took almost three and a half years to be adopted.

What does the speaker believe is wrong with the current Electoral College system?

The speaker describes the current Electoral College system as outdated, dangerous, and archaic, and suggests it no longer meets the needs of modern electoral problems.

What are the three main criteria for Electoral College reform proposed by the speaker?

The three main criteria for reform are: personal involvement of voters, equal voting power where every vote counts the same, and a system where the winner is the candidate who receives the most votes.

What is the main reform proposal suggested by the speaker?

The main proposal is to allow people to vote directly for the president, in the same manner as they vote for other elected officials.

Which organizations have endorsed the speaker’s proposal for direct popular elections?

The proposal has been endorsed by major organizations, including the Bar Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and labor organizations.

Why does the speaker think there is now a better chance for Electoral College reform?

The speaker believes there is a better chance for reform today because more people are aware of the flaws in the current system and the growing support for a direct popular vote.

What does the speaker mean by 'personal involvement' in the reform criteria?

By 'personal involvement,' the speaker means that voters should be directly engaged in choosing the president, with their votes playing a direct role in the outcome.

What is the significance of the 'equal voting power' criterion in the reform proposal?

The 'equal voting power' criterion ensures that every vote counts the same, meaning no state or voter group is disproportionately represented or disenfranchised.

How does the speaker define the ideal outcome of an election under the proposed reform?

The ideal outcome is that the candidate who receives the most votes should win, reflecting the principle of majority rule.