Democrats target 2008 Calif. vote plan

[babylonsister]

Democrats target 2008 Calif. vote plan

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD, Associated Press Writer Thu Aug 16, 4:27 AM ET

LOS ANGELES - Leading Democrats are uniting with Hollywood producer Steven Bing and hedge fund manager Tom Steyer to oppose a California ballot proposal they fear could hand the 2008 presidential election to the Republican nominee.

A lawyer with ties to the Republican Party wants California voters to change the way the nation's most populous state awards its electoral votes — a proposal Democrats call a power grab but that supporters describe as a blueprint for fairness in presidential contests.

California now allots all of its 55 electoral votes to the statewide winner in presidential elections, a practice followed in most states.

The proposal calls for awarding two electoral votes to the statewide winner, with the rest allocated according to results in each congressional district.

California has voted Democratic in the last four presidential elections. The change — if it qualifies for the June primary ballot and is approved by voters — could mean a Republican could be positioned the following November to win 20 or more electoral votes in GOP-leaning districts.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070816/ap_on_el_pr/california_votes

[lapfog_1]

1. I'd be happy to support the plan

but only if it was a US law and every state had to do the same thing.

Or better yet, let's just amend the constitution and directly elect the President and Vice President by popular vote. Retroactive to 2000.

[UnityDem]

2. "Retroactive to 2000" yes, yes, yes

Al Gore Al Gore Al Gore:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: