Governor Tim Walz Calls for National Popular Vote at California Fundraiser
During a fundraiser in Sacramento, California, hosted at Governor Gavin Newsom’s residence, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made headlines by advocating for the abolishment of the Electoral College, urging the need for a “national popular vote.” Walz, a Democratic vice presidential candidate, expressed his dissatisfaction with the current electoral system, stating, “I think all of us know the electoral college needs to go.” He emphasized, however, that the immediate focus must be to win critical battleground states, including Beaver County in Pennsylvania, western Wisconsin, and Reno, Nevada.
Reactions from the Trump Campaign
Walz’s remarks sparked a swift reaction from the Trump campaign, with key Republican figures accusing him of undermining the legitimacy of a potential Trump victory in the upcoming election. Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt took to social media, questioning whether Walz was laying the groundwork to challenge the legitimacy of a Trump win.
Clarification from the Harris-Walz Campaign
In a statement to CBS News, a spokesperson for the Harris-Walz campaign clarified that Governor Walz “believes that every vote matters in the Electoral College” and is committed to earning electoral support through travel to battleground states. Despite the incendiary nature of his comments, the campaign emphasized that they do not officially advocate for eliminating the Electoral College.
Recent Remarks Create Additional Scrutiny
Walz’s comments arrived shortly after a recent “60 Minutes” interview in which he acknowledged that he had to be more cautious in his public statements. Following scrutiny regarding his military record and comments about his whereabouts during the pro-democracy protests in China in 1989, he noted, “I speak like everybody else speaks. I need to be clearer. I will tell you that.”
The Electoral College in Context
Established by the Constitution, the Electoral College system comprises 538 electoral votes, allocated according to the congressional delegation of each state. This system has faced criticism, especially in light of past presidential elections where candidates won the popular vote but lost in the Electoral College, notably in the 2016 and 2000 elections. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, a significant 63% of Americans advocate for a move away from the Electoral College in favor of a popular vote system.
