On a Unique Plane of Existence

As this website notes, the National Review's Caroline Downey- who is not an over-the-top MAGAT - embodies "thoughtful conservatism."  When I've seen her, she seems earnest, of sober character, and not overwhelmingly partisan. However, she either lives in an extraordinary personal bubble in which politics trumps everything or has enjoyed a very sheltered life.

Downey: And you know why the electoral college really works is because it forces both political parties to try to court moderate voters in swing states.

Blow: 48 of the 50 states have a winner take all electoral college system, there is no reason to go into a state that you… pic.twitter.com/IHuq6UvIH3

— Acyn (@Acyn) June 23, 2026

Charles Blow argues, as is clearly the case, that the electoral college is dysfunctional in part because presidential candidates completely ignore solidly patisan states in favor of focusing on swing states. As the video confirms, Downey really did say "they can vote with their feet. They can leave the sate, which is what people do."  After Blow notes "nobody's gonna pack up and leave just so they can hear a campaign ad," Downey really did respond "yes, yes, if they don't feel represented in their state, they move."

What a charmed life Caroline Downey must live! Imagine a world in which you don't settle in a state because of : a job; family already living there; the climate, which may require you to live in the American south, southwest, or any other place because of health reasons; or a myriad of other restrictions. It would be a world in which you have so few responsibilities, problems, or issues that you can move anywhere you want so as to avoid living in a state in which your party's political candidate (virtually) always loses. You'll have to imagine such a country because it doesn't exist here, and possibly nowhere on the planet.

It's a universe in which you can completely ignore employment status, family, or health in favor of living in Oklahoma, Wyoming, West Virginia, or Mississippi simply because you are a Republican and in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, or Maryland if a Democrat. Even then, the move could backfire. At one time or another, a Democratic presidential candidate has won West Virginia and Republican presidential candidates have won Maryland.  It is not common, but these things happen as political winds blow blue or red.

Nonetheless, a partisan Republican living in Vermont recently goes to the polls in a presidential election year knowing that his or her vote will be irrelevant. Ditto the partisan Democrat in Kentucky. As a Democrat in New Jersey, I don't have to worry about that, at least for now; but if I lived in North Dakota, I'd have to put up with the knowledge that my presidential vote might as well be tossed into the garbage.  Also, with a whole lot of snow.

That's bad for a republic, for democratic governance. Even worse is the outcome when a plurality of voters nationwide opts for the candidate of one party while the other candidate garners a victory because of the peculiarities of the electoral college. Great, though, would a universe in which you could disregard all the needs and cares of this world and move to a state in which the presidential vote goes to the right (as you see it) candidate; the world of Caroline Downey. 

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