A Plan to Elect the President by Popular Vote

[SuperWonk]

From Kos this afternoon - high up among recommended diaries:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/3/2/132928/7960

A Plan to Elect the President by Popular Vote
by Birch Bayh
Thu Mar 02, 2006 at 11:29:28 AM PDT

I have long believed the President and Vice President should be chosen by the same method every other elective office in this country is filled--by citizen voters of the United States in a system which counts each vote equally. That is why I am proud to be part of a new coalition known as National Popular Vote pursuing a popular vote for the president through action in the states. During my tenure in the US Senate we held several hearings on this topic but were unable to pass the amendment.

Unfortunately, Congress has continued to block this basic reform that has long-standing, overwhelming public support. Gallup polls have shown strong public support for nationwide popular election of the President for over five decades. Numerous other polls have confirmed a high level of public support for this reform. Polls consistently show 60-80% of Americans believe they should be able to cast votes in the direct election of the President: Gallup Poll.

That is why I unequivocally support this new strategy to provide for the direct election of the President and Vice President. This new approach is consistent with the Constitution and lets states push this reform without waiting for Congress to act.

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More juicy reading follows...

Thoughts??