Yes, we all knew this was probably going to come up, given how Democrats reacted to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 loss. House Democrats are taking their new majority for a spin, proposing an amendment to abolish the Electoral College. Oh, and they introduced articles of impeachment against President Trump as well. Forget bipartisanship. Forget all the niceties; we’re in a state of war with the Democratic Party. Congressional Democrats put forward these proposals last week (via Daily Wire):
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) introduced two bills on Thursday, one to eliminate the electoral college and the other to prohibit presidents from pardoning themselves or their family members.
A press release from Cohen's office stated that the "senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced two Constitutional Amendments today on the opening day of the new Congress. The first would eliminate the Electoral College and provide for the direct election of the President and Vice President of the United States. The second would limit the presidential pardon power by prohibiting presidents from pardoning themselves, members of their families, members of their administrations and their campaign staff."
"In two presidential elections since 2000, including the most recent one in which Hillary Clinton won 2.8 million more votes than her opponent, the winner of the popular vote did not win the election because of the distorting effect of the outdated Electoral College," Cohen said. "Americans expect and deserve the winner of the popular vote to win office. More than a century ago, we amended our Constitution to provide for the direct election of U.S. Senators. It is past time to directly elect our President and Vice President.”
"Presidents should not pardon themselves, their families, their administration or campaign staff," Cohen continued. "This constitutional amendment would expressly prohibit this and any future president, from abusing the pardon power."
The Electoral College became a punching bag after Clinton’s loss. Democrats were engorged with entitlement that year, thinking they would win. Alas, white working-class voters torpedoed all hope of that—and thank God. The institution has arguably allowed us to abolish slavery, and it’s not like this happens often. There has been only five times where the winner of a presidential race clinched the Electoral College but lost the popular vote. And yet, we’re still here, aren’t we? It allows our system to choose a leader based on geographic diversity. A popular vote only contest could upset that, and lead to voter fraud. It already happens, yes. But it’ll be on a much, much larger scale. There are also arguments to change the system that are worth reading. Not saying it’s right, but it’s not ridiculous either. You decide. In the meantime, don’t bother with all the left-wing nonsense about the Electoral College
For now, the institution is safe, as is President Trump who isn’t going anywhere. But we’re off to a banging start to this Congress. Now, please pass the Advil and the multiple, multiple bottles of Maker’s Mark.
America, meet the Pelosi House. Articles of impeachment, a move to abolish the electoral college, comparisons of the president to Hitler, a nonstarter vote on the shutdown, profanity, a proposal for a 70% tax on the "wealthy"--all under 36 hours. Wait till they get rolling.
— Kimberley Strassel (@KimStrassel) January 4, 2019
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