BoatShoes;1319273 wrote:Republicans/Conservative leaning party have only won the popular vote once since 1988 and it's only getting worse. Also, that's within an electoral college system wherein turnout efforts aren't focused on the populous liberal states. The electoral college, the Senate and gerrymandered congressional districts are really the only thing keeping the conservative point of view in the ball game at this point as far as majorities go.
I agree. A point I alluded to in jest on this thread when some of my fellow republican/conservative posters were freaking out in the early hours after election night. Knowing not what they were asking for. Delving into this a little further I'll add my some thoughts.
Electoral college: The sum of a states representation in the federal congress. A byproduct of the great compromise. Small states would not have joined the union to be ruled by the population centers. In the end the founders agreed to form a republic comprised of a union of sovereign states. A republic governed by a constitution. Not a national democracy. Not directly subject to the ebb and flow of the populous. The constitution is not easy to change (I realize at times this process has been subverted). Its designed to be a difficult process to amend. Especially to buffer against those that are butt hurt by loosing a presidential election.
Gerrymandering: Democrats love them some gerrymandering as well until they are not in power. Then they get crazy at times and hide out in another state to block the vote. After all the results lasts a decade. The conservative wave in 2010 left republicans in control of redistricting in half the state legislatures, namely key states that were gaining or loosing representation. 2yrs later the republican establishments chosen candidate for president is nominated by the party, loses the election, and they are wringing their hands wondering what to do with those pesky conservatives.
BoatShoes;1319273 wrote:I'm telling you that the last thing you would want is an election that turns almost entirely on democrats getting out the vote in New York, Illinois and California. The most populous state in the country just went super-majority democrat.
Winning elections is about turnout. Its hardly an accurate will of the whole populous in a given election year (especially a reasonably close one). Only the will of those that choose to vote. That dynamic can vary in significant enough amounts from election to election. Its basically numbers and geography. Those that desire the support of the collective tend to populate urban areas. Individually minded people tend to remain in rural areas or suburban districts as do collective social conservatives. Nothing wrong with either choice. As long as these groups are content within their own local or state governments. My local government bans the sale of alcohol. The local government in New York City bans the size of sugary drinks one can purchase. As long as neither group seeks to nationalize their views who gives a shit. Anyways I am diverting from my point.
The democrat party however is a well oiled machine in urban areas. The concentration and demographics of the population centers gives them a distinct advantage in getting out the vote. They are generating percentages in some urban wards that would make any 3rd world dictator envious. Not to mention getting the apathetic voter to the polls. Easily deceived and scared to the polls. They are scattered abroad in rural areas.
Representation in the house does not directly correlate to the national popular vote. For instance in Wyoming they could generate 150,000 votes for the R presidential candidate nationally. A representative district of the same size in New York city could generate 200,000 votes for the D presidential candidate. +50,000 added to the national tally. Assuming the likelihood the same party candidate wins the house for their respective districts. Both districts hold equal voting power in the house. Rinse and repeat and you get the point.
Well guys, it's been almost a week since the end of the election.
