There are two problems with the 2000 election: The first is Gov. George W. Bush, the second is the Electoral College. Bush is beginning to assemble a cabinet, calling for a concession from Vice President Al Gore and seeking an injunction to prevent a manual recount of votes in Florida. Electing a president, however, is not as important as dispelling any widespread doubt that the president-elect is legitimate. There is a window of time until the inauguration on Jan. 20 to have as many recounts as necessary to settle those doubts. Bush's presumptuous and dangerous attempts to thwart the recounting of votes in Florida are contrary to America's democratic ideals — particularly since neither he nor Gore has won the election yet. Gore's "people versus the powerful" campaign theme never rang so true.
Bush's impatience is especially disquieting considering he did not even win the popular vote. In his haste to ascend to the presidency, Bush has forgotten that he clearly does not have a national mandate. And Bush's campaign rhetoric about "trusting the people, not the government" is undermined by his attempts to overrule Florida's voting procedures in Federal Court.
Bush's handling of the election crisis has given Gore the opportunity to define himself as the first progressive leader of the 21st century. Gore can do this by advocating reforms to the Electoral College regardless of who wins Florida. In electing a president, the majority will of the American people must not be subverted, especially not by the Electoral College.
Advocates of the Electoral College system say that in its absence, presidential candidates would have no incentive to travel to states like Delaware, South Dakota or Hawaii. Candidates' time would be better spent in densely populated areas like Brooklyn or Los Angeles, where they could convince more people to vote for them in less time. Advocates say the Electoral College puts small states on a more equal footing with large states and creates a sense of inclusion and national unity. The recent election, however, shows it is possible to win the presidency by winning the northeast, the Great Lakes region, California and one or two other states. The argument that the Electoral College forces serious presidential contenders to divide their time more equally among a larger number of states is not correct.
Gore should not advocate the abandonment of the Electoral College, but he should advocate rethinking it in favor of a more directly population-based system. The civil peace of the last week is a tribute to the strength of American democracy. But protests are beginning. The possibility of a Bush victory in Florida does not diminish the importance of recounting the votes. Nor does it diminish the importance of reforming the Electoral College. A plurality of American voters have chosen Gore to be their next president — the only thing preventing a Gore presidency is the Electoral College. Clearly, the rules need to be changed.
This election has the potential to revitalize an American democracy that has come under attack from a vocal Left as dominated by powerful interests that ignore the people. Gore must not concede to Bush's impatience with the democratic process. As the legitimate spokesman of a plurality, he must demand as many recounts as it takes to satisfy the American people. And he must advocate democratic reform to the Electoral College. Throughout his campaign Gore said he would represent "the people" and fight for their interests. Gore now has a chance to disprove all those who called his campaign slogan hollow. And finally he has an opportunity to define his own legacy outside the shadow of President Clinton. Adam Frankel is from New York City. He can be reached at afrankel@princeton.edu.
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