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After I thought about it more, I realized France and the US are not so different in that respect. Joel Send a noteboard - 08/03/2012 08:51:03 PM
Yet another argument for Instant Runoff Voting (or Preferential Voting, of one prefers.) Personally, I would prefer America institute that and let everyone vote in both primaries, but do not expect either to happen soon.

Yes, indeed. Definitely would've resulted in better results in that election.

Specifically, what you said about the French presidency being a far more powerful position if his party also has a parliamentary majority. The US president is in a similar, if not identical, position (hence Obama screwed the pooch in not taking advantage of the Democratic House and Senate majorities while he still had them.)
I did qualify that slightly, but I meant the PM is the head of government as well as of the legislature. That makes implementing checks and balances harder.

Ohhh, you meant *both* terms as referring to American politics. That was rather confusing, considering that the UK actually *has* a Speaker of the House, and he/she is very much not the President. :P

Ah, right; I completely forgot the House of Commons has its own Speaker also, sorry. :<img class=' />

So what you say isn't really accurate - the British PM dominates parliament in the sense that his/her party controls it and he/she controls his party (or at least one would hope he/she does), but isn't the head of it in any formal sense. Still, I see your point that it's very different from American politics where the only one in the government (or administration, anyway) who is elected is the president himself, and that in a completely separate election.

It is more a matter of the PM being both a member of the legislative majority AND head of state. In some ways that gives Britains PM greater (if more precarious) power than the US president. The PMs situation seems more like Obamas before 2010 or Clintons before 1994; he may need the Whip to keep a few unruly party members in line, but seldom faces an openly hostile majority (if only because such majorities tend to relieve him of that burden, by bringing down his government. :P)
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This message last edited by Joel on 11/03/2012 at 12:59:54 AM
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Now That Romney Is Officially the Republican Presidential Nominee: Pick the President! Joel - 29/02/2012 08:29:02 PM 1261 Views
I agree Romney will be the candidate. Tom - 29/02/2012 08:54:52 PM 655 Views
I would say the math favors Romney over Obama, but it will probably be close either way. Joel - 01/03/2012 03:37:52 PM 701 Views
I have never understood the point of the Electoral College. Tim - 29/02/2012 11:39:11 PM 703 Views
You don't think like a politician then Isaac - 01/03/2012 12:38:36 AM 745 Views
I certainly hadn't considered much of that. I'm glad you posted it. *NM* Ghavrel - 01/03/2012 07:15:03 AM 314 Views
I also have not seen most of that mentioned in the popular vs. electoral debate. Joel - 01/03/2012 02:34:31 PM 631 Views
what about one vote one value? wadsy - 02/03/2012 11:51:32 PM 715 Views
That has not really changed. Joel - 03/03/2012 03:30:34 AM 899 Views
a bit simplistic and unrealistic wadsy - 02/03/2012 11:44:02 PM 672 Views
When illustrating a point realism is not required and simplicity is a plus Isaac - 03/03/2012 03:04:26 AM 689 Views
I have a couple quibbles. Joel - 03/03/2012 05:23:46 AM 717 Views
Oh, certainly, I'm over-generalizing but I was already getting long-winded Isaac - 03/03/2012 06:52:04 AM 677 Views
I hate when people do that. Joel - 05/03/2012 09:49:36 AM 659 Views
What a bunch of waffle! wadsy - 03/03/2012 10:47:19 AM 821 Views
First you complain of simplicity then of my lack of brevity? Isaac - 03/03/2012 11:18:11 AM 607 Views
A simplistic argument doesn't mean it's brief *NM* wadsy - 03/03/2012 09:55:51 PM 337 Views
Also I don't like this refrain that implies only the POTUS vote matters Isaac - 03/03/2012 03:29:58 AM 833 Views
IMHO, parliaments choosing prime ministers is LESS democratic than the electoral college. Joel - 03/03/2012 05:57:41 AM 633 Views
Re: IMHO, parliaments choosing prime ministers is LESS democratic than the electoral college. Isaac - 03/03/2012 07:02:30 AM 671 Views
*is learning* Joel - 04/03/2012 09:49:42 PM 662 Views
Re: *is learning* Isaac - 04/03/2012 09:56:16 PM 676 Views
To the extent I can (yet again) claim to speak for Europeans... Legolas - 04/03/2012 10:33:01 PM 652 Views
I've fairly limited exposure and that from some years back Isaac - 04/03/2012 11:35:12 PM 713 Views
Re: *is learning* Joel - 05/03/2012 12:08:08 AM 716 Views
You could imitate the French. Legolas - 07/03/2012 10:40:16 PM 650 Views
That seems... unlikely.... Joel - 08/03/2012 03:03:54 PM 650 Views
It does, doesn't it? Legolas - 08/03/2012 06:11:08 PM 848 Views
After I thought about it more, I realized France and the US are not so different in that respect. Joel - 08/03/2012 08:51:03 PM 626 Views
More similar than the other major Western democracies at least, agreed. Legolas - 08/03/2012 09:32:55 PM 604 Views
I did not realize lack of a parliamentary majority dictated his cabinet. Joel - 09/03/2012 12:27:31 AM 684 Views
I don't know much about Norwegian politics, but you seem to be wrong. Legolas - 03/03/2012 06:18:08 PM 690 Views
Do you happen to have that link, please? Joel - 03/03/2012 06:46:31 PM 566 Views
Sure. Legolas - 03/03/2012 06:58:07 PM 740 Views
Guess we did not read far enough. Joel - 03/03/2012 10:38:07 PM 683 Views
Yeah, you have to know a few things about European politics... Legolas - 03/03/2012 11:49:44 PM 887 Views
Hey, man, I am an AMERICAN: I do not HAVE to know ANYTHING! Joel - 04/03/2012 11:46:57 PM 906 Views
Re: Hey, man, I am an AMERICAN: I do not HAVE to know ANYTHING! Legolas - 05/03/2012 11:14:42 PM 1222 Views
Re: Hey, man, I am an AMERICAN: I do not HAVE to know ANYTHING! Joel - 08/03/2012 02:56:02 PM 742 Views
Re: Yeah, you have to know a few things about European politics... DomA - 05/03/2012 06:56:24 AM 684 Views
The thing is, regions often have national relevance far greater than their populations would suggest Joel - 05/03/2012 10:21:26 AM 632 Views
Fascinating. Legolas - 05/03/2012 10:52:32 PM 669 Views
Re: Yeah, you have to know a few things about European politics... Macharius - 08/03/2012 07:11:12 PM 635 Views
Many valid reasons, including those Isaac cited. Joel - 02/03/2012 02:26:37 AM 784 Views
Most states are ignored anyway wadsy - 02/03/2012 11:56:12 PM 860 Views
Only because and to the extent they have already committed themselves. Joel - 03/03/2012 03:41:39 AM 709 Views
Why would we do something logical? Dude, you're utterly ridiculous. *NM* callandor1000 - 05/03/2012 04:53:38 PM 373 Views
I'm kind of sad- does this mean Santorum won't be providing wonderful sound bites anymore? beetnemesis - 01/03/2012 02:22:31 PM 624 Views
Nothing has shut him up yet, why should this? *NM* Dannymac - 01/03/2012 05:27:30 PM 355 Views
Maybe he'll pull a Palin and go touring around the country *NM* beetnemesis - 01/03/2012 07:06:02 PM 324 Views
No, it probably means we will get more and worse than ever. Joel - 01/03/2012 11:25:25 PM 804 Views
Romney or Obama, either way, America loses. *NM* Hieshyn - 02/03/2012 01:10:26 AM 449 Views
Hard to dispute that either; six of one, half a dozen of the other. Joel - 02/03/2012 01:38:07 AM 605 Views
Couldn't agree more *NM* Hieshyn - 02/03/2012 06:52:51 PM 364 Views
It reminds me of when Denver backed into the NFL playoffs. Joel - 02/03/2012 09:36:13 PM 599 Views
I'd agree hope and change was extremely unrealistic wadsy - 02/03/2012 11:58:57 PM 603 Views
Well, you know my story there; I voted for Obama and got Hillary (at best.) Joel - 03/03/2012 01:43:20 AM 618 Views
Update: Despite rules requiring they be split, the MI GOP is giving Romney BOTH statewide delegates. Joel - 02/03/2012 11:10:56 PM 705 Views
Romney is damaged wadsy - 02/03/2012 11:27:33 PM 619 Views
Obama is rather damaged also; it will probably come down to FL and OH, yet again. Joel - 03/03/2012 02:23:53 AM 725 Views
I'm hoping for Rubio as VP... then FL probably won't matter Isaac - 03/03/2012 04:28:08 AM 606 Views
You should put that on your license plates. Joel - 03/03/2012 06:41:34 AM 728 Views
Re: You should put that on your license plates. Isaac - 03/03/2012 06:51:00 AM 677 Views
Ax murderers are people, too! Joel - 04/03/2012 08:23:41 PM 629 Views
And what are you basing all of this on? wadsy - 03/03/2012 09:54:06 PM 719 Views
The closeness of several states when Obama was far more popular, and UTs heavily Mormon neighbors. Joel - 03/03/2012 11:44:06 PM 674 Views
Wrong wadsy - 04/03/2012 08:08:56 AM 791 Views
Higher turnout magnifies the Mormon effect. Joel - 04/03/2012 08:08:09 PM 829 Views
Your reasoning is flawed and if you can't see it there is no hope for you wadsy - 05/03/2012 11:39:04 PM 735 Views
Yeah, I think we had that conversation already, several times, in fact. Joel - 07/03/2012 05:36:45 AM 572 Views
Do you have any knowledge of statistics at all? wadsy - 07/03/2012 09:04:15 PM 735 Views
I hate this message board wadsy - 07/03/2012 09:06:30 PM 530 Views
It would probably help if you deleted the stuff from two, three posts back? Legolas - 07/03/2012 09:25:40 PM 646 Views
Some, though it is far from exhaustive. Joel - 08/03/2012 02:29:06 PM 712 Views
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