Languish Presidential Election!

[katmai]

to be with my people.

He means the nazis that ran to there in 40's.

[Tonitrus]

Yeah, I know about that law. But that doesn't answer the why.

From my follow-up on the number of physical House chamber seats (and I think that includes the Speaker's podium), the answer is obvious.  They don't want to renovate the sacrosanct Capitol building.  Nor do they want to have to move to RFK stadium.

And really, there is a point where having too many Representatives becomes prohibitive, not only in expenses, but in political impotence.  But is 435 the right number to stop at?  Who knows...they thought it was a good idea in 1911.  And if they want to expand it, it doesn't even require an amendment...just political will.

But the real, probable answer is that enormous districts make it easier for the established political parties to retain control.

[Sheilbh]

Why do they all need an individual seat?  How often are they all in the Chamber?

There wasn't enough seats in the Commons when it was blown up in the war.  Churchill, being Churchill, ordered that it be rebuilt exactly as it was rather than expanding it to fit the number of MPs.  We now have even more MPs.

[Josquius]

I'm surprised there's not much mention of the Puerto Rico referendum around. It is happening right?
That stands out to me as something pretty important and newsworthy, a literal redrawing of the map and flag potentially.
The question asked seems pretty stupid though, voting safe and going with no would seem a very sane gamble even for supporters of the other options.

Why do they all need an individual seat?  How often are they all in the Chamber?

There wasn't enough seats in the Commons when it was blown up in the war.  Churchill, being Churchill, ordered that it be rebuilt exactly as it was rather than expanding it to fit the number of MPs.  We now have even more MPs.

Oh Churchill.

Aren't they going to be rennovating it soon (in political terms, i.e. within a few decades)?
Would be nice if they'd change it then.
Though there are moves underway/they have recently, cut the number right?- all the Tory's game to give themselves an advantage IIRC since a lot of their seats are currently large ones whilst a lot of labour ones are small.

[Sheilbh]

I think the Lib Dems are going to vote against shrinking the Commons and the accompanying boundary review (which they initially supported) after the Tories stopped their House of Lords reform bill going though.

Edit:  Also I think keeping the Commons small was a good choice by Churchill.  The fact that they can't fit in is probably a part of what gives it a raucous atmosphere on the big set pieces.

[CountDeMoney]

From my follow-up on the number of physical House chamber seats (and I think that includes the Speaker's podium), the answer is obvious.  They don't want to renovate the sacrosanct Capitol building.

Bingo.

And really, there is a point where having too many Representatives becomes prohibitive, not only in expenses, but in political impotence.  But is 435 the right number to stop at?  Who knows...they thought it was a good idea in 1911.  And if they want to expand it, it doesn't even require an amendment...just political will.

But the real, probable answer is that enormous districts make it easier for the established political parties to retain control.

Allowing them to redraw their own districts really doesn't help, either. 

[jimmy olsen]

If that call center thing is true, damn that's sleazy.

http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Poll-challenges-fake-calls-may-mar-vote-4010990.php

Anyone who falls for it is dumb/ignorant as hell, but still...

[Liep]

Would CBS be a good choice of election watching if one wanted to follow it? Our national broadcaster has chosen that to stream during the night.

[derspiess]

NO

[DGuller]

They're all pretty much the same, the only choice is in the flavor of bullshit one wants to listen to while twiddling thumbs and waiting for the results.

[lustindarkness]

Would CBS be a good choice of election watching if one wanted to follow it? Our national broadcaster has chosen that to stream during the night.

I will follow languish coverage.

[celedhring]

When do you think this will get called? Pondering if I can afford to stay up or not. States west of MI will be largely irrelevant but I don't know how long the Ohio count will take.

[lustindarkness]

Obama should get an early lead, until republicans get off work this evening and can go vote.

[Caliga]

When do you think this will get called? Pondering if I can afford to stay up or not. States west of MI will be largely irrelevant but I don't know how long the Ohio count will take.

It depends.  Will: Katherine Harris be involved?

[Phillip V]