Topic: Popular Vote

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith appeared on *The View* to argue that Donald Trump has a clear mandate after winning every swing state and the popular vote. Smith criticized Democrats for making excuses rather than finding a new strategy. He noted the significant shift of Black, Latino, and young voters toward the Republican party as evidence of a fundamental political realignment.

The historical context of the Electoral College and the popular vote is examined, tracing the modern "swing state" strategy back to Karl Rove in the 2000 election. Rove's focus on specific states allowed Republicans to win the presidency without necessarily winning the popular vote. Donald Trump's 2024 victory is noted for breaking this trend by securing a significant popular vote margin.

An explanation of the United States Electoral College system details how it balances power between large and small states. The process involves slates of electors chosen by state legislatures rather than a direct national popular vote. Current political analysis identifies Pennsylvania as a critical state for both the Harris and Trump campaigns.

Bill and Hillary Clinton express their support for the direct election of the president and the abolition of the Electoral College. Bill Clinton links the system's origins to slavery and the protection of conservative states. The hosts provide a counter-argument, stating the system was designed to prevent overpopulated, corrupt states from dominating smaller ones.

A debate ensues regarding the primary cause of 2020 election irregularities, contrasting the impact of mail-in ballots with theories about voting machine manipulation. The discussion touches on the historical lack of a popular vote and the role of state legislatures in choosing electors.

The Washington Post and other media outlets have renewed calls to abolish the Electoral College in favor of a national popular vote. Critics argue that without the Electoral College, a few high-population states like California and New York would effectively govern the entire country, leading to the marginalization of smaller states. The segment emphasizes that the US is a constitutional republic designed to prevent "mob rule."

DNC Chair Tom Perez called for a recanvass of Iowa voting precincts as Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg remained virtually tied. Sanders declared victory based on a 6,000-vote lead in the popular vote, while Buttigieg maintained a slight lead in state delegate equivalents. The results were described by the New York Times as "riddled with inconsistencies."

Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton appeared at a women's group event in Portland to promote their book. During the appearance, Hillary emphasized that the Democratic party must nominate a candidate capable of winning the Electoral College, acknowledging her own 2016 loss. She called for a rigorous vetting process to prepare candidates for attacks from the right and foreign entities.

Dick Morris explains the "National Popular Vote Interstate Compact," a strategy where states agree to award their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. Currently, 15 states and D.C. representing 198 electoral votes have joined; the compact triggers at 270 votes. The hosts argue this is a dangerous attempt to circumvent the Constitution and disenfranchise voters in smaller states.

Former Attorney General Eric Holder called for the abolition of the Electoral College, labeling it a "defect in our democracy." The hosts argue that removing the Electoral College would benefit media companies by forcing billions in television advertising into large markets like California and New York, while disenfranchising smaller states.

Edison Research announces it will provide exit polls and tabulate the national popular vote across every county for major networks during the midterms. The hosts argue this is an attempt to discredit the Electoral College and predict that Hillary Clinton would lose both the popular and electoral votes if she ran again.

Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig advocates for the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact to effectively abolish the Electoral College. The hosts argue the system was designed to prevent high-population states like California from dominating national elections and criticize Lessig's stance as "sour grapes" following the 2016 election.

A comprehensive list of insults used against Donald Trump is compiled, ranging from "illegitimate president" and "Russian agent" to "mentally unfit" and "small hands." The hosts argue that the Democrats' lack of focus on a single narrative makes their opposition less effective.

The implementation of the Real ID Act in California raises questions about whether illegal immigrants will receive federal-standard identification. The discussion shifts to the Electoral College, with the theory that media organizations advocate for its abolition to force political candidates to spend more advertising money in high-population states like California.

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper interviews Hillary Clinton regarding her stance on the Electoral College, which she labels a "God-forsaken" anachronism. Clinton advocates for a move toward a one-person, one-vote system, citing the 2000 and 2016 elections as evidence that the current system is broken. The hosts argue that the media will never support true campaign finance reform because they benefit from political advertising revenue.

Clips from "The View" feature Michael Moore and Whoopi Goldberg arguing for the abolition of the Electoral College, citing that Democrats have won the popular vote in six of the last seven elections. The hosts mock the suggestion of celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, or Michelle Obama running for president in 2020. The discussion highlights the shift toward identity politics as a primary strategy for the Democratic Party.

Hillary Clinton returned to her alma mater, Wellesley College, to deliver a commencement address marked by a recurring coughing fit that required medical assistance from aides. During the speech, Clinton reflected on her time as a student in 1969 and discussed her path from graduation to winning the popular vote in the 2016 presidential election.

Hillary Clinton cited analyst Nate Silver to argue she was on track for victory until late October "intervening events" occurred. She emphasized her three-million-vote lead in the popular vote and dismissed Donald Trump's tweets as a diversion from national security concerns. The discussion highlights her use of the term "Russian WikiLeaks" to link the email leaks directly to foreign state interference.

The hosts discuss the "meta-fractal" nature of modern political discourse, where the same arguments repeat at every level of society. One host recounts interactions with "Hillbot" colleagues who remain convinced that Trump will resign or be impeached due to low approval ratings. They describe the difficulty of navigating social media platforms like Twitter, where these conflicting universes frequently collide and lead to aggressive blocking.

Congresswoman Jackie Speier questioned the fairness of the Electoral College during a town hall meeting, arguing that votes in Wyoming should not have more value than those in California. She asserted that the popular vote should determine the presidency, leading the hosts to accuse her of violating her oath to uphold the Constitution. The segment also touches on President Trump's stated priority of protecting the American people.