The Electoral College and Presidential Leadership
Prepare: Prior to beginning work on this discussion question, read Chapters 5 and 6 in American Government and review Week 3 Instructor Guidance. In addition, read What Are the Arguments Made in Favor-and Against-the Electoral College?, Stop Blaming the Electoral College, and “Swing States, the Winner-Take-All Electoral College, and Fiscal Federalism”
Reflect: As the textbook author asserts, the framers intentionally designed a process for selecting presidents that would minimize the president’s political power-the Electoral College. They hoped this institution would insulate the chief executive from the public, because they feared the power of presidents who might be elected by the people. However, the Electoral College has also spawned a long ongoing debate about whether it should be abandoned in favor of new methods, which would ensure that the candidate elected has the most popular votes. The controversy over the Electoral College must be understood to understand better how and why U.S. presidents are elected. Only five times in United