According to the Feb. 5 Free Press editorial (“The Day The Caucus Died”), some critics ask how Iowa is a good starting place for a campaign whose winner seeks to be president. The editorial explores another option for the start of the nomination process.
National Public Radio reportedly did research to find the state that most closely represents the nation’s demographics in several categories. They determined Illinois was that state.
If Illinois accurately represents a cross section of the country, why not let Illinois select the president, not just as a nominee, but for the job itself at the White House. This would be very efficient, and other states wouldn’t have to endure all the campaigning that we don’t trust anyway.
Imagine the outrage from the East and West Coasts, where they would be screaming, “One state shouldn’t be selecting our president!” Without the Electoral College system in place, that is essentially the scenario we face – just a few states choosing the president.
Colorado and New Mexico have joined the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Their residents may someday find themselves wondering why their votes didn’t count at all.