The Phoenix

Thursday quick takes

A few odds and ends . . .

-- Ed Fitzpatrick and yours truly write about the push in RI for the National Popular Vote.

During the Monday evening fundraiser, New Yorker writer Hendrik Hertzberg, a one-time speechwriter for Jimmy Carter, described the Electoral College approach as highly flawed, since it divides the 50 states into "battlegrounds" and "spectators" during presidential elections. As it stands, a large part of the country doesn't really count in presidential elections, attracting few or no visits from the candidates, he says.

-- A time tonight for Ed Pacheco:

Just a friendly reminder that there is an opportunity tonight at 5:30pm to join Representative Ed Pacheco and celebrate the holiday season at the Cuban Revolution on Valley Street. In addition to your contribution, Representative Pacheco asks that you bring an unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots. You can RSVP to the event by e-mail to info@edwinpacheco.com.

-- The RI chapter of the Industrial Designers Society of America gathers this evening at Local 121:

Are you a recent graduate, or you just moved to Rhode Island? Are you looking to get to know more people locally? Join us for an informal social gathering TONIGHT at Local 121 in downtown Providence. We are holding this event to bring together an eclectic mix to grow and strengthen relationships with the younger community in and around Rhode Island. Taking place from 5-8 tonight, Local is at 121 Washington Street, near to Trinity Rep Theater and AS220.

Friends and colleagues are more than welcome to attend.

Thursday, December 18th, 5:30 - 8PM
Local 121
121 Washington Street
Downtown Providence

Published Dec 18 2008, 02:46 PM by Ian Donnis

susan said:

The National Popular Vote bill would guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states (and DC).

Every vote would be politically relevant and equal in presidential elections.

The bill would take effect only when enacted, in identical form, by states possessing a majority of the electoral votes—that is, enough electoral votes to elect a President (270 of 538). When the bill comes into effect, all the electoral votes from those states would be awarded to the presidential candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states (and DC).

The bill is currently endorsed by 1,246 state legislators — 460 sponsors (in 47 states) and an additional 786 legislators who have cast recorded votes in favor of the bill.

The National Popular Vote bill has passed 22 state legislative chambers, including one house in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, and Washington, and both houses in California, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The bill has been enacted by Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, and Maryland. These four states possess 50 electoral votes — 19% of the 270 necessary to bring the law into effect.

See www.nationalpopularvote.com

December 21, 2008 3:30 PM