As Republicans gather in the Capital City for their annual winter meeting of party faithful, the sweetest place on earth will host the Democrats this weekend.
Democratic leaders used the opportunity to bash Republican plans to try to change the weight of the Electoral College in future presidential elections.
For many new voters, it is a disappointment to learn that the candidate with the most votes doesn't necessarily win the presidency. The final decision is that of a body called the Electoral College.
In the November election, Barack Obama beat Governor Romney by more than 310,000 votes in Pennsylvania, and took all 20 electoral votes. Two proposals by Republicans have surfaced to replace the winner-take-all award.
One would allocate electoral votes to the popular winner in each congressional district. Two votes would go to the statewide winner.
The other would divide the state's 18 electoral votes based on the statewide popular vote, plus two electoral votes for the statewide winner.
State Democratic Party Chairman Jim Burns, Senator Daylin Leach and Representative Mike Sturla feel entrenched Republicans think these are great ideas because their mantra is ‘win at any cost.’
"There are a whole lot of other things that could be going on in this state if they were actually dealing with issues that face us,” Rep. Mike Sturla told us. “They could be talking about education or transportation or the environment or jobs and the economy and health care. And instead they're looking to do election rigging."
GOP Strategist Charlie Gerow counters, saying Republicans have an agenda for 2013. It focuses on building the economy, getting pension costs under control, strengthening the transportation system and privatizing an antiquated liquor system. But what about rigging elections?
“What is very interesting is that none of these gentlemen mentioned that the Democrats have attempted to do exactly the same thing in other states,” Charlie told us. “I wonder if they would ask them if they were trying to election rig."
Republicans say the Electoral College changes would give smaller towns and rural areas more say in battleground states. The Governor is said to be neutral at this time, not having analyzed the proposals.
Democratic leaders used the opportunity to bash Republican plans to try to change the weight of the Electoral College in future presidential elections.
For many new voters, it is a disappointment to learn that the candidate with the most votes doesn't necessarily win the presidency. The final decision is that of a body called the Electoral College.
In the November election, Barack Obama beat Governor Romney by more than 310,000 votes in Pennsylvania, and took all 20 electoral votes. Two proposals by Republicans have surfaced to replace the winner-take-all award.
One would allocate electoral votes to the popular winner in each congressional district. Two votes would go to the statewide winner.
The other would divide the state's 18 electoral votes based on the statewide popular vote, plus two electoral votes for the statewide winner.
State Democratic Party Chairman Jim Burns, Senator Daylin Leach and Representative Mike Sturla feel entrenched Republicans think these are great ideas because their mantra is ‘win at any cost.’
"There are a whole lot of other things that could be going on in this state if they were actually dealing with issues that face us,” Rep. Mike Sturla told us. “They could be talking about education or transportation or the environment or jobs and the economy and health care. And instead they're looking to do election rigging."
GOP Strategist Charlie Gerow counters, saying Republicans have an agenda for 2013. It focuses on building the economy, getting pension costs under control, strengthening the transportation system and privatizing an antiquated liquor system. But what about rigging elections?
“What is very interesting is that none of these gentlemen mentioned that the Democrats have attempted to do exactly the same thing in other states,” Charlie told us. “I wonder if they would ask them if they were trying to election rig."
Republicans say the Electoral College changes would give smaller towns and rural areas more say in battleground states. The Governor is said to be neutral at this time, not having analyzed the proposals.