The Washington Post

Some Republicans are looking to change the way the President of the United States is elected. It is a simple plan reported by the Washington Post, Rachael Maddow, and other media, but I think the article in Center for American Action Funds lays it out well.

Simply put, in the present system, the US electoral college delegates are selected by a winner-take-all system based on the states. Some Republicans are calling for a revamp of the winner-take-all system and replace it with electors based on congressional districts. Had such a system been in place during the 2012 election, Mitt Romney, who did not have a majority of the popular vote, would have won the Presidency, and not Barack Obama.

However, I would posit, had the system been in place, Romney still would not have won, for Romney would not have been the nominee. Why do I suggest that?

What I suspect would happen is that the electors would become the de facto the congressional representatives. That is, if a district elects House member, and that district also has an electoral vote, it is logical that the elected House member would likely also become the elector. If that is the case, is there any need for a national convention? Is there a need for a primary? Just let the House of Representatives meet as the neo-electoral college and guess who wins? The Speaker of the House.

The United States moves to a parliamentary system. Perhaps someone will put into law that a Congressman can't be an elector. Maybe the courts will rule that it is reasonable, but somehow I think it won't stand up.

There is a perception, right or wrong, that the American People are electing a President chosen in a very closely watched contest. When the House of Representatives gets involved in electing a President, it just feels wrong. It's like the checks and balances are way outa whack.

For sure, the Speaker of the House is third in line for the Presidency.

Under the Republican plan, that'll move him two spots closer to the top and likely lead to the elimination of Presidential selection as we know it.