Our Ace in the Hole: The House of Representatives

[charlie and algernon]

http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/provisions.html#provisions

if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice....

I then counted what states have a majority of Dem reps, what have a majority of Republican reps and which are tied. Dems have a majority in 27 states, Repubs have 20 states and there are two states with an equal number. McCain has to outright win on election day, if they're tied at 269 a piece, Obama wins.

Dem Majority States - 27
WA
OR
CA
HI
CO
SD
ND
MN
IA
AR
WI
IL
TN
MS
NC
PA
MD
NJ
NY
CT
RI
MA
VT
WV
NH
ME
IN

Repub Majority States - 21
AK
NV
ID
MT
WY
UT
NM
TX
OK
NE
MO
LA
KY
AL
FL
GA
SC
VA
OH
DE
MI

Tied - 2
AZ
KS

[democrattotheend]

1. FYI, it's the new Congress that would pick

So we actually don't know what the party breakdown would be. But since we are likely to gain seats I am not too worried.

[charlie and algernon]

3. yeah, we'll still have at least 27 votes

a few states are close, at most we may end up with 30-31 states.

[brendan120678]

2. 21 Republican States, not 20

[charlie and algernon]

5. ah thanks

I even wrote 21 down on my tally sheet, lol.

[WeDidIt]

4. The standard is not a tie, the standard is neither reaches 270

So if Barack does not reach 270, so long as he denies McCain enough to get to 270, it still goes to the House.

In other words, if it comes down to Ohio and the action is controversial, so long as the Ohio electors are never certified, it will go to the House where Barack will win.

[WeDidIt]

6. Another point, it is NOT the 110th (current Congress that casts this ballot

It is the 11th (the one tat gets elected on the 4th).

Just thought I'd point that out.

[drm604]

7. Please, let's hope that it doesn't come to that.

Can you imagine what would go on between now and the seating of the new House?

I agree that it's a fall back position that would be extremely likely to work in our favor, but I hope that it doesn't come to that.

[lame54]

8. Let's fill that Ace-Hole