Why vote for any candidate, when popular vote would have kept Bush out the first time?

Answer 1

This is a common misunderstanding of the electoral college system we have. The founding fathers did NOT want a popularly elected president for good reason.

Consider this. The senate represents the states because it is determined by statewide elections. Many years ago the senate was voted on by state legislators. Either way, the senate represents state interests. The house of representatives represents the people because their elections are held at a district level. Now the president is supposed to be centered between the two. Congress represents the states and the people through the seante and the house. The president represents both equaly because his election is a hybrid, or a system that calculates giving weights to popular sentiment and states concerns. Thus, if the president was always elected by a popular vote the senate would be underweighted and we would move towards a mob rule form of democracy instead of a representative democracy form of govenment in a republic.

Your vote is not just for your own preference, but a vote for the interest of your state. Many political scientists (and our founders) would argue that your vote is even more important in our current system.

Answer 2

1. The popular vote usually reflects the electoral vote.
2. Electoral college members most often follow the people's choice.
3. Bush is a Republican, and Republicans are kick-ace.

Answer 3

For the same reason people have voted since 1776. The US Constitution remains the same with regard to the Electoral College. It has been this way since the birth of this Nation.

Answer 4

You missed the most important lesson of the election 2000 fiasco.

Why vote at all if the Supreme Court can interfere and prevent us from finding out who really won?