Comments and Emails - A Follow-Up

Last week, a reader sent me an email asking where Coors and Salazar stand on Amendment 36. Today, the DP has the answer:

Top Democrats are shying away from the campaign to divide Colorado's electoral votes even though their fellow partisans spearheaded the effort.

Attorney General and U.S. Senate candidate Ken Salazar - the state's highest-ranking Democratic office holder - refuses to take a stand on Amendment 36.

Coors, however:
...strongly opposes Amendment 36 on the grounds, he said, that it would dilute Colorado's power.

"I'm opposed to having people from outside our state coming in here and stealing
our electoral votes," he said.

So there it is. Republicans oppose it and Democrats won't endorse it.

In keeping with the follow-up theme, Guy from Damascus Road sent me a copy of the email exchange he had with Reggie Rivers regarding Amendment 36 (I've removed the headers and just kept the main text - the email chain reads from bottom to top):

Reggie,

Under the provisions of your proposal, the proportional allocation of electoral votes perhaps makes some sense. However, you and I both know such a thing will never happen. This proposal is nothing but a blatant attempt by wealthy, out of state interests to garner a few electoral votes for Democrats. Quite frankly, I have a whole lot more faith in the wisdom of our Founding Fathers than that of well-heeled California political operatives.

In addition, as you well know, our nation is not, nor has it ever been, a pure democracy. Our nation is a constitutional republic; and as such, the “one man, one vote” principle that you mention is not entirely applicable.

Thanks for the reply and the debate.

Regards,

Guy Cannon

Go Broncos !

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Hi Guy,

Thanks for the note. Yes, I would favor this system in California (where Democrats would lose a lot of votes). I favor it for every state. A presidential election is the only vote in the country in which a vote for one candidate actually gets converted into a vote for the other candidate.

If a Californian votes for Bush, that vote actually gets converted into a vote for Kerry, and Kerry walks away with 55 electoral votes as if every person in the state voted for him. It's not consistent with the principle of one person one vote.

Thanks,

Reggie

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Reggie,

Would you be in favor of the same system in California? If not, why? ‘Scuse me, just wanted to check your intellectual honesty.

Guy Cannon

Finally, a Joseph C. posted a comment here, asking how he could help:

Just wanted to express my support for the opposition to Amendment 36. When will we start seeing TV ads AGAINST this amendment? How can we help?

The answer is:

1. Go to No36.org. Click on Donate, fill out the form, send a check.

2. Make sure you tell everyone you know to vote no on 36.

3. Listen for the new radio add against 36. Call the talk shows to express your opposition.

4. Write a letter to the editor of every newspaper you can (hint, use the opposition's website to find the links to all the state's newspapers).

5. On November 2nd, VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 36!!!