Staff Reports
A band of Senate Democrats, including Senators Dick Durbin, Brian Schatz, and Peter Welch, have decided it’s high time to kick the beloved Electoral College to the curb. With Trump set to reclaim the White House on January 20, their plan to replace the established electoral framework with a system based solely on popular vote has all the charm of a soggy sandwich. Rather than accepting defeat like adults, they’re trying to sell this latest scheme as a noble effort to “restore democracy,” a claim that resonates about as well as a lead balloon.
The legal acumen of these senators seems sorely lacking, as they took to their social media accounts to declare this initiative a “bill.” However, abolishing the Electoral College is not as simple as waving a magic wand or posting a snazzy graphic on Twitter. The Constitution actually requires an amendment to eliminate the Electoral College, a detail that seems lost on these high-ranking officials. It’s as if they think they can just will it away by sheer force of will (and perhaps a bit of Twitter magic).
Senate Democrats introduce legislation to abolish the Electoral College, aiming to shift presidential elections to a popular vote system, the Judiciary Committee announces. pic.twitter.com/68Abgfq9Lu
— TFTC (@TFTC21) December 16, 2024
Durbin’s enthusiasm for dismantling the Electoral College isn’t new. In fact, this is a vintage move for him, having first dipped his toes into this legislative pool back in 2000. His persistence on this issue borders on comical, showcasing a long-standing interest in altering a core part of American governance without addressing the historical context or rationale for its existence. The reaction from social media has been predictably hilarious, with numerous folks reminding the senators that you can’t simply erase centuries of constitutional law with a social media post laden with emojis.
Even outlets like The New Republic have taken notice of the farce, labeling the proposal a “massive boondoggle” for Democrats. It’s almost as if these senators are engaging in a complex form of self-sabotage, spinning their wheels in futile efforts to shift the electoral rules while ignoring the fundamental characteristics of the American political landscape. This isn’t just about misunderstanding how elections work; it’s a blatant disregard for the will of the people expressed through an established system.
The sad truth is that Democrats are clutching at straws, hoping that by changing the rules to favor their own party, they might somehow reverse their fortunes. After all, Trump not only clinched the presidency but did so with broad support across battleground states. With the recent census poised to further bolster Republican representation, this desperation seems less about democracy and more about the Democrats’ sinking ship. Their continued whining just reinforces the idea that they have a hard time accepting the outcomes of the electoral processes they insist are too flawed to allow real representation.
As the clock ticks down to Trump’s inauguration, one thing becomes abundantly clear: the Electoral College isn’t going anywhere. Democrats can complain and concoct plans that stand no chance of success, but the system that has served the republic since 1787 will remain intact. Changing the rules in response to a loss may be classic Democratic playbook material, but it will ultimately amount to nothing more than wishful thinking. The math is hard, and as the founders wisely laid out, amending the Constitution is no simple task. It will take a monumental coalition—something these disillusioned senators clearly have no chance of mustering.
