Introduction
President Donald Trump's attitude towards the State Popular Vote compact has been a subject of much debate. The compact, which allows people from other states to decide the allocation of electors, was recently dismissed by the Supreme Court. This article delves into why President Trump may be unconcerned with this compact and addresses some of the common misconceptions surrounding his victory in the 2020 election.
What is the State Popular Vote Compact?
The State Popular Vote compact is a bipartisan agreement aimed at ensuring the election of the president based on the popular vote across all states. Under this agreement, states pledge to award all their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote, rather than their own statewide popular vote. This compact was seen as a potential threat to the current electoral system, especially in the context of the 2020 election.
Supreme Court Decision: A Major Setback for the Compact
In a 9-0 decision, the Supreme Court dismissed the State Popular Vote compact as it was found to have no legal standing. This decision effectively rendered the compact inoperative and highlighted the challenges it faced in gaining widespread adoption.
Why Trump Is Unconcerned with the Compact
President Trump's indifference to the State Popular Vote compact is not a matter of confidence in his potential victory in the popular vote, but rather a reflection of the unlikely scenario in which such a compact would be implemented.
The Political Feasibility of the Compact
The compact has never gained the necessary support to be implemented. For it to take effect, a majority of states would need to enthusiastically sign on, which seems improbable given the current political landscape. Additionally, the compact's constitutionality is highly questionable, with the potential for the Supreme Court to rule against it in a contentious election scenario.
The President's Focus on Staying Relevant
Trump has consistently failed to grow his base by relying solely on maintaining a stagnant, fearful current base. His focus has been on keeping his existing supporters engaged through fear tactics rather than fostering new support. This political strategy does not necessarily imply confidence in a popular vote victory.
Why Trump Might Still Contend in the Popular Vote
While Trump's support base remains largely the same, the potential for a robust popular vote campaign is still a factor. The president's indifference could be due to the understanding that, even if the compact were to gain unforeseen momentum, it is unlikely to affect the 2020 election's outcome significantly.
Conclusion
The dismissal of the State Popular Vote compact by the Supreme Court has rendered the compact inoperative, and its potential to affect the 2020 election has diminished. President Trump's apparent unconcern is due to the political improbability of the compact gaining sufficient support and the constitutionality concerns. Instead, his focus remains on maintaining and engaging his existing base through fear tactics.