Beshear Backs Abolishing the Electoral College

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Sunday that it is "time" to abolish the Electoral College and elect the president and vice president by direct popular vote.

The Democratic governor made the call on CBS's "Face the Nation," where host Ed O'Keefe had asked him for his "biggest, boldest idea."

Beshear folded the change into a single sweeping constitutional amendment that would also outlaw partisan redistricting, impose term limits on Congress and the Supreme Court, and overturn Citizens United.

What He Said

Asked for his big idea, Beshear gave two — one on the economy, one on government.

"People want you to fix the darn economy, and they want you to fix the darn government," he said, per a transcript published by Breitbart News.

On the economy he called for "an aspirational investment in housing" aimed at first-time buyers, with federal dollars tied to speed: "You've got to break ground and you've got to do it quickly. Get through the overregulation and the NIMBY-ism."

On government he went to the Constitution. "So, fix the darn government. Constitutional amendment. It is time," Beshear said. "It should outlaw partisan redistricting and enshrine part of the Voting Rights Act right there in the constitution. It should create term limits for Congress and the Supreme Court. No more gaming those appointments. It should also overturn Citizens United, and I think call for direct elections of the president and the vice president."

O'Keefe stopped him there. "I didn't realize you support abolishing the Electoral College," the host said. "If you're saying direct election of the president and vice president."

Beshear said he had said it before, and made the case from his own red state. "In Kentucky we will never see a candidate for president or vice president unless they're from here," he said. "Why? Because people just expect that it'll go one way or the other. It's the idea that someone would get elected not just knowing about seven states, but having to earn votes all over the United States. I certainly think it's time."