MSNBC host Chris Hayes has expressed frustration over recent polling data indicating that former President Donald Trump is positioned to win the Electoral College despite trailing Vice President Kamala Harris in the national popular vote.
On Friday, Hayes took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the Electoral College system after a new poll from renowned pollster Nate Silver suggested that Trump would secure the presidency through the Electoral College in November, even though Harris would lead in the popular vote.
Hayes shared his discontent with the Electoral College, quoting Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson’s 1949 observation that a rigid constitutional doctrine could become a “suicide pact” if not tempered with practical wisdom.
Hayes’ criticism centres on the belief that the Electoral College, as a method for determining the presidency, is outdated and undemocratic. He argued that this system, which progressive Democrats often criticise, risks allowing Trump to return to the White House despite losing the popular vote.
Independent of the model itself, it's clear as day the electoral college is, to quote the great justice Jackson a national suicide pact. Just a wildly dangerous institution that undermines democracy but also creates all manner of rube-goldberg machinery to be attacked by bad… https://t.co/NROBirf3yt
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) August 29, 2024
The poll Hayes referred to was released by Silver and highlighted by finance journalist Geiger Capital on X. In Silver’s model, Trump is currently leading with 52%, while Harris stands at 47%. According to the model, the disparity is particularly noticeable in crucial battleground states like Pennsylvania, where Harris’ decision to pass over Josh Shapiro as a running mate may have impacted her electoral prospects.
In his critical post, Hayes labelled the Electoral College as “a wildly dangerous institution that undermines democracy” and creates a complex system vulnerable to manipulation by “bad actors.” He also responded to a user’s comment about the lack of similar electoral systems for state governors, emphasising his belief that if the Electoral College were not enshrined in the Constitution, it would be considered unconstitutional.
Hayes linked his criticism to a previous MSNBC segment in which he defended Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., against accusations of calling the Electoral College a “scam.” In that segment, Hayes condemned the Electoral College as outdated and an institution maintained by Republicans who, he claimed, fear being in the minority.
This recent commentary continues Hayes’ outspoken stance against the Electoral College, highlighting ongoing debates about its role and relevance in American democracy.
