2016 Postmortem

Silent3

(15,210 posts)

55. Aren't electors generally chosen because they're staunch supporters of their candidate?

Mon Nov 21, 2016, 12:17 AM

Nov 2016

The only reason I can see an Trump elector bailing on Trump is if they strongly disapproved of things revealed since election day -- going soft on building "the wall" now, making a number of appointments and creating lots of conflicts of interest that certainly don't look like "draining the swamp" so much as building a new Trump-friendly swamp, paying out $25 million in the Trump University fraud case, more unsavory Putin connections, etc.

Given how much shit your average Trump supporter has been shown time and time again to be willing to swallow, however, it's hard to imagine anywhere near enough switching their vote. And if they did switch, it probably wouldn't be to Clinton, which would just throw the election to the House to decide.

Oh, it's a lovely dream Clinton could win the Electoral College vote, and a part of me clings to that hope, but I know it's a very small hope.

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I am one of those 538 National Elector's and yes the Electoral College is in play [View all] Coyotl Nov 2016 OP

I guess these electors still don't understand SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2016 #1

The electors do have the final say in this election, the Ruth Bonner Nov 2016 #5

No they don't SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2016 #6

Okay. Thank you. I need to read more. Do you have a link you could share? Ruth Bonner Nov 2016 #7

Here you go SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2016 #12

"If they so choose". But doing so would weaken Trump. KittyWampus Nov 2016 #9

How so? n/t SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2016 #13

I wish that were true.... paleotn Nov 2016 #21

Really, helpless hope is our only refuge? bigmonkey Nov 2016 #53

Okay then, when they start fighting with each other over who gets the best spoils.......... nolabels Nov 2016 #61

I would like to believe you, but it will never happen. scarletlib Nov 2016 #2

As much as I want to grasp onto any straw of hope... hlthe2b Nov 2016 #3

I get that it is disheartening to take action that has little chance of success... Ruth Bonner Nov 2016 #11

If they loved this country they will vote their concience. libtodeath Nov 2016 #4

246 and 55 have no conscience turbinetree Nov 2016 #8

I want to believe this so much. -Steph- Nov 2016 #10

The term is faithless electors alfredo Nov 2016 #14

And when Congress rejects the votes of the faithless electors? n/t SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2016 #15

I don't think they'd default to trump. The house plays a part in all this. alfredo Nov 2016 #20

This was previously linked: guillaumeb Nov 2016 #31

First I don't believe this will happen. But, lets assume it does. It wouldn't do us any good. stevenleser Nov 2016 #35

Agreed. This is nothing more than a refusal to realize what happened in the election. guillaumeb Nov 2016 #36

Or they could NOT vote for Trump but then Pence would get it: dixiegrrrrl Nov 2016 #42

Then we keep on resisting. alfredo Nov 2016 #49

There is no resisting. They have the Constitution on their side. stevenleser Nov 2016 #50

I understand that, and that resisting the Republicans is our only course going forward. alfredo Nov 2016 #54

Let's say Hillary's chances are slim or none, unless there's a huge bombshell about trump alfredo Nov 2016 #47

You're completely missing the point SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2016 #34

I was just giving the text of the 12th amendment. alfredo Nov 2016 #48

I have not faith in this fucking crap. lonestarnot Nov 2016 #16

they will fold heaven05 Nov 2016 #17

Glad for your post, but what concrete evidence do you have that other states' electors are in play, ancianita Nov 2016 #18

This won't happen and should not happen. Skinner Nov 2016 #19

What? libtodeath Nov 2016 #23

Electors voting against the legitimate outcome of the election... Skinner Nov 2016 #25

No legitimate outcome! cilla4progress Nov 2016 #26

But there is evidence it isnt legitimate libtodeath Nov 2016 #27

The evidence is not compelling. (nt) Skinner Nov 2016 #28

Agree 100%. pintobean Nov 2016 #43

I disagree. This is not something that we should all let go. LiberalFighter Nov 2016 #30

I agree SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2016 #37

I'm inclined to agree. What seems like a good thing now in the heat of the moment would not end up stevenleser Nov 2016 #39

Agreed. tammywammy Nov 2016 #41

Well, it would be symbolically significant if nothing else. Ligyron Nov 2016 #22

It didn't happen after Gore won the pop. vote, and it won't happen now. closeupready Nov 2016 #33

Asking the flyover states to give up their say in Presidential elections SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2016 #38

If a few more states sign onto the pac it should effectively nullify it. Ligyron Nov 2016 #44

I think they still need 105 electoral votes SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2016 #45

I can't imagine the resistance she'd face SHRED Nov 2016 #24

I don't see this happening. LiberalFighter Nov 2016 #29

No, it's not in play. closeupready Nov 2016 #32

this is playing with fire, and will never happen Grey Lemercier Nov 2016 #40

Only enough Republicans in the House could make this a reality, BUT duffyduff Nov 2016 #46

Things the Constitution specifies are legitimate. bigmonkey Nov 2016 #52

Republican electors will never flip in sufficient enough numbers to to elect Clinton, and even if Grey Lemercier Nov 2016 #56

Plus, the House can't vote on any other Republican SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2016 #62

We are irresponsible not to have abolished it long ago. treestar Nov 2016 #59

actually, Im not in favour of doing away with it, there's a simple (but almost as hard to get done) Grey Lemercier Nov 2016 #60

I think each person's vote should be treated equal treestar Nov 2016 #63

As much as I hope this will play out in favor of the nation, I fear it will not liberal N proud Nov 2016 #51

Aren't electors generally chosen because they're staunch supporters of their candidate? Silent3 Nov 2016 #55

If this where to actually happen, we would be looking at another civil war. briv1016 Nov 2016 #57

It should be abolished treestar Nov 2016 #58