The Right to Vote: An Exercise in Demagoguery

The President of the United States is elected in an institution known as the Electoral College:

 the number of electors assigned to each state are equal to the number of senators and representatives the state sends to Congress (proportional representation).
 
 
Electoral College Result: 1976 thru 1996
 

STATE	Carter 76	Reagan 80’	Reagan 84’	Bush 88’	Bush 92	Clinton 96
Alabama	9	9	9	9	9	0
Arkansas	6	6	6	7	6	6
Florida	17	17	21	21	25	25
Georgia	12	0	12	12	13	13
Louisiana	10	10	10	10	9	9
Mississippi	7	7	7	7	7	0
N.Carolina	13	13	13	13	14	0
S.Carolina	8	8	8	8	8	0
Texas	26	26	29	29	32	0
Tennessee	12	12	12	12	11	11
Virginia	12	12	12	12	13	0

When I look at the historical voting pattern of what was the Confederate States, I'm reminded of the old southern colloquialism:

 " Ya'll go ahead an vote,..so we can get on with the election!

 [ Demagogue: a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power.]

Update on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 01:02PM by [JL Harris]

Focus on the facts:

• !976: James E. Carter _ former Governor of Georgia: Vice President_ Walter F. Mondale, Senator from Minnesota.
• 1980: Ronald Reagan _ former Governor of California: Vice President_ George Herbert Walker Bush, Representative from Texas.
• 1984: Same as 1980.
• 1988: George Herbert Walker Bush, Representative from Texas: Vice President_ Dan Quayle, Senator from Indiana.
• 1992: William J. Clinton_ former Governor of Arkansas: Vice President_ Albert Gore, Senator from Tennessee.
• 1996: Same as 1992.

Is there a pattern?

You tell me.