I think Obama's strategy proves that we can abolish the electoral college

[Hippo_Tron]

And not have to worry about candidates only focusing on big cities. Obama won the swing states by going to small towns and rural areas and winning over voters that don't usually vote Democratic and exciting Democrats in places that they have been traditionally ignored.

If the electoral college is abolished, Obama's strategy could be extended even further. There's only so much yield you can get from campaigning in a single area. It makes sense that candidates would pay at least one visit to Wyoming, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, and other places that they completely ignore currently. If you put some effort into energizing people in sparsely populated areas those sparsely populated areas start to add up.

[NYC_SKP]

1. Agreed. At least lose the "winner take all" approach, as a start.

But yes, I see no need in this age for the electoral college.

[defendandprotect]

2. Absolutely --

[Muttocracy]

3. I'm with you - even in swing states, they often go to big cities already

rallies held in or near the biggest cities in each states, ads running there, etc.

I want one citizen one vote. I'm tired of having my vote count less because I'm in a larger state, and have less impact because I'm in a reliably blue state. I think voter turnout would be higher in New York if the votes actually made a difference.

[Hippo_Tron]

4. But Obama really expanded his efforts beyond cities in places like Ohio

He won there because he didn't just focus on the cities but also southern Ohio as well.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

5. yep...

[cynatnite]

6. I don't support abolishing the electoral college...

Big cities would then decide elections. The rest of the country would be ignored. Until a better system is found, the electoral college should remain.

[Muttocracy]

8. Lots of big cities DO get ignored depending on what state they're in.

[RoadRage]

7. I agree to an extent..

but imagine we have a candidate that "isn't" Obama.. and doesn't have the charisma to raise $600,000,000. Frankly that helped him a LOT in being able to campaign in states that no other dem ever has... so while it worked great now.. just imagine if we didn't have the Electoral College and we didn't have a Charismatic candidate and we only had $84,000,000.

I'm not saying I don't like the idea.. i'm just trying to decide if i would like it without Obama, KWIM?

[Hippo_Tron]

10. But see Obama's strategy is now going to be followed by future candidates...

Just as Clinton's "War Room" was revolutionary at the time but now a prerequisite for any serious presidential candidate, Obama's grassroots fundraising and 50 state strategy are also going to become prerequisites for any serious candidate.

[jerry92]

9. The EC is a silly system

This isn't the 18th century; I don't know why we still use it.

[Jed Dilligan]

11. I would like us to develop into a culture where the EC would work as intended

A patchwork of strong enough communities that local election of a "wise man" or "woman" to select the president would not be ludicrous.

[TheDonkey]

12. Agreed. I think you actually open up the map by going with popular vote.

This country is still very rural.