HI Bob,   
      
   On Tue 2012-Nov-20 09:09, BOB KLAHN (1:123/140) wrote to RICHARD WEBB:   
      
      
    RW> I've argued this one for years.  This would also benefit   
    RW> third party candidates, as those who voted for them would   
    RW> actually find their votes counted as more than just a vote   
    RW> against tweedle dumb or tweedle dumber.   
      
   BK>  True. Esp if the third party candidate was running well   
   BK>  elsewhere, but not in your state. Now, if he doesn't get the    
   BK> majority in your state it don't count. With a direct vote they  all   
   BK> add up.   
      
   Right, and, imnsho this is one of the reasons we'll never   
   see the electoral college abolished, the two majors can give us the same old   
   tired excrement and effectively   
   disenfranchise third party voters.  This is also why the   
   Republicans abandoned the true fiscal conservatives and   
   those of a libertarian bent in favor of the religious   
   fanatics, they knew they didn't have to worry about the   
   libertarians, those who gave libertarian ideas more than lip service would   
   vote libertarian, and could safely be ignored. MEanwhile, Falwell Robertson   
   and their ilk must be placated, they're loud and they've got money from the   
   gullible er   
   faithful to burn.  got to do something other than build air   
   conditioned doghouses ya know.   
      
   BK>>  With the electoral college the candidates have no reason to even   
   BK>> visit a state or area he feels he has no chance in. Without it  all   
   BK>> votes count the same.   
      
    RW> There's that too.  IT might push candidates to actually   
    RW> talk issues with these folks.   
      
   BK>  Now you are asking way too much...   
      
   Right, but abolishing the electoral college would force that one.   
      
   The electoral college was effective, back before the   
   telegraph, the telephone and other electronic communications capabilities, but   
   it's been obsolete for over a century now. it's time to bury it!   
      
      
   Regards,   
              Richard   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:116/901)