Blogcritics: Comments on No Blue Counties

Comment by visualsimplicity

Thu, 9 Oct 2003 03:29:04 EDT

I think The Simpsons had already shown us the need of an electoral college, and on many occasions.

Comment by Phillip Winn

Wed, 8 Oct 2003 23:05:40 EDT

BJ (#5) I think that the first map highlights how clearly a small but populous region can make a big difference in the overall popular vote. In this case, it wasn't enough. But San Francisco and L.A. could have made the different, and there would have still been only two red splotches. The same thing is the fear of what would happen without the electoral college. Campaining in a few large cities could mean the whole election, and all of the people in the "blue states" be darned. Or, put another way, it demonstrates how completely out of touch one city can be with the rest of the voters.

Comment by Steve Rhodes

Wed, 8 Oct 2003 20:28:31 EDT

Yep, as much as I'd like the rational residents of San Francisco to control the politics in this country, it is pretty restricted to our own little oasis (though our ideas do tend to slowly percolate out to the rest of the country). And you can't really blame us for Davis. Camejo came in second last fall with about 16% of the vote which was ahead of Simon. Camejo didn't do as well this time since many of us who would have voted for him voted for Bustamante in the fruitless hope we'd be able to stop Schwarzenegger.

Comment by BJ

Wed, 8 Oct 2003 18:50:56 EDT

Maybe I'm being dense, but I don't think I understand your comment about needing an electoral college.

Comment by Phillip Winn

Wed, 8 Oct 2003 17:27:38 EDT

Another thing worth noting is that the number of people who voted 'No' on the recall was 3,540,573 (as of 2:13pm Oct 8, at least), while the number of people voting for Schwarzenegger was 3,694,436. Understanding that not all 'No' votes were actually votes in favor of Gray Davis, and that people could vote on one issue and not the other, or cast a ballot for both, Arnold still beat Gray straight up by just over 150,000 votes, or just under 2%.

Comment by Phillip Winn

Wed, 8 Oct 2003 17:22:46 EDT

Yes, Bill, and I've heard people spin that as a great victory for Republicans. It is, I suppose, but I don't know how transferable Arnold's votes might be to another Rep that isn't, well, Arnold.

Comment by Bill Wallo

Wed, 8 Oct 2003 17:08:25 EDT

Let's not forget the fact that together, Arnold and McClintock actually got over 60% of the vote, an incredible statistic given California's general Democratic leaning. Rather wild statitics all together.

Comment by Phillip Winn

Wed, 8 Oct 2003 16:46:08 EDT

Oops! I forgot to include a link to the complete list of candidates with results.