Pit,
Well, my argument wasn't really about campaigning it was about addressing the concerns of the people within a state or region. Certainly radio, television and now the internet have changed the politics and have made information more accessible to all of those that care. So a candidate can get his message to anyone. But candidates will always be pressing the flesh in campaigns because it is an effective form of persuasion.
If the concerns and needs of the people throughout the country were homogenous, I certainly agree that the popular vote is appropriate. The popular vote is how we elect our state representatives and senators. I see nothing wrong with that at all.
I see too many problems with a popular vote election of a president. I think it would further alienate and divide the nation more than it already is. Take a look at the electoral map and you will see a clear disconnect of values and political agendas between most of the country.
My cynicism is based partially on a belief that politicians will do just about anything to get elected. I believe the rights and benefits that accrue to people in small areas of the country would be diminished under a popular vote system.
Politicians love to rob Peter to pay Paul. I believe it would be even more egregious under a popular vote system.
I think the electoral college is an appropriate check and balance on the mischief that can be created by popular vote elections. Can I be wrong about that? Sure, but it has worked pretty well for the last 200 years.
In regards to this most recent election, bear in mind that both candidates ran campaigns based on achieving an electoral victory. There is no proof that Gore would have beaten Bush if they had run campaigns based on winning the popular vote. So we don't know what the people's will would have been if it had been a popular vote election.
Also Gore hasn't won the popular vote yet. There are over 1 million absentee ballots still uncounted in California. Those ballots are mainly from Orange County and San Diego County. Both lean very much toward the Republican Party.
The electoral college is not perfect and I'm not gonna try to defend its weaknesses. I just think it is better than the popular vote given the geographical considerations we have in this country.
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