The 2012 Presidential Map
Four-hundred days before election 2012 ... and both political parties are busy strategizing. The Republican-controlled Pennslyvania legislature is considering a change in how its electoral college votes are awarded. It could be bad news for Democrats. President Obama’s team is meanwhile calculating ways to take advantage of changing demographics in the electoral map. They see some formerly red states possibly turning blue. Several Republican-led states have either passed or initiated legislation that would restrict early voting and require voters to show more identification. They say it’s necessary to limit fraud. Democrats say the measures would disenfranchise some voters. Finally, Florida jumped the queue last week. It’s holding a primary on January 31st. A panel of experts joins guest host Tom Gjelten to discuss strategies for mapping a victory path to the White House
Guests
president of Ayres, McHenry & Associates, currently polling for Jon Huntsman's Super PAC.
senior strategist with Priorities USA Action, former deputy press secretary at the Obama White House.
political director, ABC News.
Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader, Republican.

Comments
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Well Hello Mr Drew Kelly:
I was beginning to wonder where you been? Have not heard from you lately.
"Bit surprised to see this comment page open up with petty racially- motivated remarks.
Did you think this was the “we's the patriotic white folks” network or something? Grow up.
...And if it helps you sleep better- the Pizza guy probably isn’t likely to get the nomination."
People like ConchitaNegra really stir up my goat.
And for your first question: No not the way this topic opened up. The minorities of which I am one and po folk always complaining about past injustices. They need to move on.
The point here is missed with respect to the senator from PA's bill to modify the electoral college! The purpose of the electoral college is to serve as a check & balance against a charismatic, dangerous candidate from becoming president via popular vote. Hello???!!!! Of course, our forefathers assummed that congressmen serving the U.S. would be objective, intelligent, fair lawmakers intent on making the best decisions for America and not just themselves and winning elections regardless of quality. SO IGNORANT & DISSAPOINTING!
I wish that the other participants had responded to Whit Ayres' assertions about the supposed "need" for photo ID with the reminder that we DO require identification at our polling booths. The signature ID holds the clear advantage that it does not threaten to disenfranchise any voters, and given that voter fraud is a virtually non-existent problem, there is little reason to change this system unless you are trying to differentially impact certain kinds of voters. The photo ID bills, along with other nationwide voter suppression measures such as the ones we have here in Ohio with HB 194, are part of Republican-led efforts to trim off a meaningful percentage of democratically-leaning voters; this is the only reason I can see to prefer it over the signature ID.
Given the choice, most voters want a national popular vote.
The National Popular Vote bill would guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states (and DC).
Under National Popular Vote, every vote, everywhere, would be politically relevant and equal in every presidential election. Every vote would be included in the national count. The candidate with the most popular votes in all 50 states would get the 270+ electoral votes from the enacting states. That majority of electoral votes guarantees the candidate with the most popular votes in all 50 states wins the presidency.
National Popular Vote would give a voice to the minority party voters in each state and district (in ME and NE). Now their votes are counted only for the candidate they did not vote for. Now they don’t matter to their candidate.
With National Popular Vote, every vote, everywhere would be counted for and directly assist the candidate for whom it was cast.
A survey of 800 Pennsylvania voters conducted on December 16-17, 2008 showed 78% overall support for a national popular vote for President.
Support was 87% among Democrats, 68% among Republicans, and 76% among independents.
By age, support was 77% among 18-29 year olds, 73% among 30-45 year olds, 81% among 46-65 year olds, and 78% for those older than 65.
By gender, support was 85% among women and 71% among men.
The bill has passed 31 state legislative chambers, in 21 small, medium-small, medium, and large states, including one house in AR, CT, DE, DC, ME, MI, NV, NM, NY, NC, and OR, and both houses in CA, CO, HI, IL, NJ, MD, MA, RI, VT, and WA. The bill has been enacted by DC (3), HI (4), IL (19), NJ (14), MD (11), MA (10), CA (55), VT (3), and WA (13). These 9 jurisdictions possess 132 electoral votes -- 49% of the 270 necessary to bring the law into effect.
NationalPopularVote
Meanconser
I HAVE been away for a while (and this comments page has become a sorry sight I can see that).
Through extraordinary rendition I was taken out of the country and tortured until they got me to repeat, “ECG is right- give all the $ to those that have it all already- that’ll fixit. Just sign over your paychecks directly to the fabulously wealthy and all will be well”. Then they let me go.
Did Etaoin and Mellow Yellow elope off together somewhere?
As far as CoquiNegra, I kind of agree with him/her. If Floridas’ vote was actually counted in 2000, this world would be FAR AND AWAY a better place right now.
As far as poor folks complaining about injustice of a country that through no fault of their own has created policies that systematically eliminated their jobs,: I would say as sentiment expressed in Dickens “A Christmas Carol” - let those folks “leave this Earth” so as to leave more for rest of us.
mchaun wrote:
"ecgberht wrote:
....
ecgberht
Chairman
Racist Tea-Partiers for Herman Cain
September 30, 2011 - 10:40 am"
Yeah, ain't you the same Racist Dongscrubbers who crossed over to nominate
a hopeless Black Man in the Democrat Primary in South Carolina???
Monte Haun mchaun@hotmail.com
September 30, 2011 - 2:57 pm
Drew Kelly wrote:
" “ECG is right- give all the $ to those that have it all already- that’ll fixit. Just sign over your paychecks directly to the fabulously wealthy and all will be well"
Care to point to a post, Drew Kelly? I didn't think so. You're sounding a lot like Grady Lee Coward these days. Make an outragious accusation with nothing to back it up. That's the liberal way.
mchaun wrote:
"Yeah, ain't you the same Racist Dongscrubbers who crossed over to nominate a hopeless Black Man in the Democrat Primary in South Carolina???"
I don't know Monte. I don't live there. Why don't you ask somebody who votes in SC.
-ecgberht
Chairman
Racist Tea Partiers for Herman Cain
ecgberht,
HEY, them's fightin' words.
I'm going to have to save it for another day- Don't have time now- Don't worry I'll be back.
By the way- not that it matters to you but I prefer progressive as in some who hopes we progress forward as opposed to stagnate backwards. Choose your own moniker, but I might have to call you republi- neocon or something in return.
Which reminds me- did you drive Etaoin to drink?
I will make just this one Comment (I'm busy moving to a new computer and have to concentrate on that):
It's a long way to Election Day!
Anything can, and probably will, happen between now and then. So, could the punditocracy and the commentariat please stop treating this as a sporting event, with "blow by blow" speculation?
Not a single meaningful vote has been cast, not a single primary or caucus has been held. What will all of this current blather mean once that process begins next year?!
Answer: absolutely nothing!
Enough already.