By Brittany Hundzynski, Contributing Writer
Here’s the latest media coverage on the proposed Electoral College reform controversy.
Pete DeCoursey of Capitolwire writes that PA’s congressional delegation is challenging Governor Corbett to come to Washington DC and defend the plan.
“After a breakfast meeting today, the Pennsylvania Republican U.S. House delegation asked Gov. Tom Corbett to come to Washington, D.C. to explain the proposed electoral vote shift plan to them.
“That kind of demand that the governor play an away game as the state draws their districts shows just how upset the Republican congressional delegation is.”
It was initially reported that RNC Chair Priebus opposed the plan, but the RNC has said no.
“Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, also weighed in against the proposal to state committee leaders and Corbett insiders. Priebus and his staff at RNC have said this is a matter for Pennsylvanians to decide.”
Nate Silver of 538/NYT analyzes how the proposal plan can possibly backfire on the GOP.
“The Electoral College split could work against Republicans and cost their candidate the election.The plan could undermine the integrity of the Electoral College, which is probably not in Republicans long term best interest.”
Tara Ross at National Review argues that the plan is partisan, bad for Pennsylvania and bad for the country.
“Pennsylvania legislators should not implement a congressional district system based purely on partisan considerations. Perhaps they believe that NPV advocates have their own partisan reasons. The does not make such motivations any less unwise. Every state can make its own assessments on these matters and should make its own decision. But Pennsylvania legislators will serve their constituents — and their country — best if they remember to honestly assess what would serve their state, rather than their political party”
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow devoted a segment discussing the newest Pennsylvania Republican attempt to tip elections to their favor- change the way electoral votes are awarded.
“Pennsylvania Republicans can’t figure out how to win the state but they can figure out how to narrowly win some districts, so then by golly they can change that state law too. This is called using public policy for partisan outcomes. This is calling putting your thumb on the scale.”
Former Rep. Joe Sestak is on the cable circuit bashing the plan as well (video below).
Rob Gleason, the Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman is also opposed to the plan.
“We would no long be a battleground state with all the benefits that come with that, it would affect us all the way down ticket.We are gonna win the presidency here anyway, so why we would do this now when we’re at the top of the heap is beyond me.”
Conservative media outlet, the Weekly Standard states Pa Republicans shouldn’t toy with the Electoral College.
“Allocating electoral votes from usual winner-take-all method-he norm since the American Founding-to a method of allocating one electoral vote for each congressional district. For a variety of reasons, this idea doesn’t deserve to get off the ground.”
In the Washington Post, author of the bill, state Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, said the bill is a regional effort to award the state’s votes according to how they are cast.
“It is moving much more quickly than I had anticipated when I announced my intention to produce the bill.”
And here is that Sestak video:
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6 Responses
Lance – appreciate a TEA party member commenting on this. This is nothing more than a power grab by party establishment. Remember the old saying “Absolute Power corrupts absolutely!”. I worry things won’t get fixed until there is a real 3rd party to knock both the D’s and R’s off their loftly perch.
Looks like it is agreed it is a bad idea. Pileggi just needs an exit strategy. Wonder which greedy consultant or lobbyist talked him into this?
*typo: partiers
Well, I’m one of those far right tea parties, and I have to agree with mblue. This seems disingenuous and unfair and seems like it would have a negative effect on the balance of powers in the federal government, making the president more of an extension of the house, i.e. prime minister.
Hopefully this plan dies quickly. However, it would be nice to shed more light on redistricting and to, once and for all, get rid of gerrymandering and move to fair ways to divide districts.
This is a foolish waste of time and a kick in the face of the founding fathers. I don’t care if you’re a far left liberal or a far right conservative member of the TEA party, you have to be against this power grab by GOP member of the PA Legislature which Gov. Corbett apparently is planning to sign into law. Like many of the things our founding fathers designed, the Electorial College isn’t perfect and has it’s flaws, but they designed the presidential election process this way so the smaller states with less population will still have at least 3 votes and a say in electing the president.