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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

House GOP To Meet Guv' Today Over Electoral Plan

With the exception of Maine and Nebraska, every other state follows a "winner-takes-all" system of computing electoral college votes in the Presidential race. A presidential contender with 50% plus one popular vote will get all of the electoral college votes.

Pa. Senate Majority leader Dominic Pileggi wants to scrap that in favor of awarding electoral college votes, congressional district by congressional district. He claims it "would more precisely conform the electoral college to the popular vote." True, and by the way, it would also make it more likely for the Republican candidate, who traditionally has fared poorly in the Keystone State, to walk away with at least some electoral college votes.

But there's an equally likely possibility that the whole plan will backfire on Republicans. Specifically, in suburban Pennsylvania, there is a real concern among GOP Congressman that the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Democratic machine will concentrate resources there.

House GOP members will meet with Governor Tom Corbett today to make these concerns known.

"What were you thinking?" is one question they might be tempted to ask.

"It's a mixed bag," explained one politico, who said the plan would make much more sense if several states simultaneously decided to change current practice.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bernie
How do you find out about stuff like this. The Gov. meeting with GOP officials regarding redistricting?
Do you have any thoughts as to how it will look? Thanks.

Anonymous said...

The Ds won't sit by. They'll be out in force in major cities and cause havoc to this "greed" plan. Watch.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"How do you find out about stuff like this."

Quite accidentally. But it is entirely accurate. I spoke to somebody who knows about the meeting, which will be this afternoon.

Anonymous said...

This actually isn't a bad idea, but it should be a county count, kind of like the state by state electoral process with each getting 1 vote. Philly often produces more votes than voters, and this would cut the effects of voter fraud.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Pa. only gets 20 electoral votes (it might be 19 soon), but there are 67 counties.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Mr. Ohare found out by accidently turning on Channel 69.
As it was reported there prior to Mr. Ohares blogging.
As far as a comment, go for it!!!
And remember,
be careful what you wish for.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I just checked WFMZ, and the last story they had about Corbett concerns Pa bridges. There was no story at all about a House GOP meeting with Corbett.

I might be mistaken, but believe I am the first person to write about this throughout the state.

Anonymous said...

http://www.wfmz.com/news/Lawmaker-proposes-change-to-election-of-president-in-Pa/-/121458/1610834/-/uiirg0z/-/index.html

Mr Ohare ...the story ran 9/16/11 on Channel 69

Bernie O'Hare said...

That story mentions NOTHING about today's meeting between Corbett and the Pa. Congressional delegation. So no, I could not have found out it in that story.

Anonymous said...

Mr Ohare
Not to beat a dead horse however,
On the 12 noon report Monday Jaciel the anchor repeated the story adding that there was a meeting scheduled. I have not found the transcipts of that show however I heard it first hand.
I will continue searching. If I am successful I will repost.
BTW I like your grit.

Bernie O'Hare said...

You may have heard a story at noon. That was 12 hours AFTER this blog posted. There was also a story at Valley 610, 10.5 hours after this story posted. I believe it was here first. I KNOW I never heard about it on WFMZ. For one thing, I don't watch TV. For another, the webcast you link does not mention it.

Anonymous said...

Mr Ohare,
I concede defeat.
You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din!

I am guilty with an excuse though,
I thought this thread was started on Tuesday as there is no date on the top as is on the previous and subsequent threads.
Good work.

Anonymous said...

Pa. only gets 20 electoral votes (it might be 19 soon), but there are 67 counties.

I realize that, but it could be the winner of the 67 votes gets the 20.