In this book, Alexander Keyssar delves into the history of the Electoral College, tracing its origins back to the Constitutional Convention and outlining the numerous attempts to abolish or reform it since then. Keyssar explains the complexity of the electoral system, the partisan one-upmanship, the difficulty of passing constitutional amendments, and the historical role of the South in preserving the Electoral College. He provides a nuanced narrative of why these efforts have failed and offers insights into the ongoing debate about the institution's future. The book is a comprehensive analysis of the Electoral College's impact on American democracy and the challenges of institutional reform.
In this ambitious one-volume history, Jill Lepore examines the origins and rise of the United States, focusing on the core ideas of political equality, natural rights, and the sovereignty of the people. The book spans over five centuries, from 1492 to the present, and delves into various themes such as the legacy of slavery, the persistence of inequality, and the impact of technological change. Lepore's narrative is characterized by its elegant prose and comprehensive coverage of American politics, law, journalism, and technology, highlighting both well-known and lesser-known figures in American history[2][5][3].
This book by Robert Blaemire provides a detailed account of Senator Birch Bayh's career, highlighting his key legislative achievements such as Title IX, the Bayh-Dole Act, and the 26th Amendment to the Constitution. The book reflects on Bayh's impact on American politics and society, particularly in areas like women's rights, patent policies, and voter rights. Blaemire's personal experiences working with Bayh add a unique perspective to the narrative, making it a valuable historical and political resource.
As the US Presidential Election nears, Radiolab covers the closest we ever came to abolishing the Electoral College.
In the 1960s, then-President Lyndon Johnson approached an ambitious young Senator known as the Kennedy of the Midwest to tweak the way Americans elect their President. The more Senator Birch Bayh looked into the electoral college the more he believed it was a ticking time bomb hidden in the constitution, that someone needed to defuse. With overwhelming support in Congress, the endorsement of multiple Presidents, and polling showing that over 80% of the American public supported abolishing it, it looked like he might just pull it off. So why do we still have the electoral college? And will we actually ever get rid of it?
Special thanks to Jesse Wegman, the University of Virginia’s Miller Center, Sarah Steinkamp at DePauw University, Sara Stefani at Indiana University Libraries, Olivia-Britain-Toole at Clemson University Special Collections, Tim Groeling at UCLA, Samuel Wang, Philip Stark, Walter Mebane, Laura Beth Schnitker at University of Maryland Special Collections, Hunter Estes at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and the folks at Common Cause.
We have some exciting news! In the “Zoozve” episode, Radiolab named its first-ever quasi-moon, and now it's your turn! Radiolab has teamed up with The International Astronomical Union to launch a global naming contest for one of Earth’s quasi-moons. This is your chance to make your mark on the heavens. Vote on your favorites starting in November: https://radiolab.org/moon
EPISODE CREDITS:
Reported by - Latif Nasser and Matt Kielty
Produced by - Matt Kielty and Simon Adler
Original music and sound design contributed by - Matt Kielty, Simon Adler, and Jeremy Bloom
Mixed by - Jeremy Bloom
Fact-checking by - Diane Kelly
and Edited by - Becca Bressler and Pat Walters
EPISODE CITATIONS:
Articles -
Harry Roth, “Civil Rights Icon Defended the Electoral College Forty Years Ago” (https://zpr.io/jmS5buEGxBzU)
Frederick Williams, “The Late Senator Birch Bayh: Best Friend of Black America,”
(https://zpr.io/NDiAgcK5UPhX)
Christopher DeMuth, “The Man Who Saved the Electoral College” (https://zpr.io/PgneafdmWBVA)
Books -
Jill Lepore, These Truths: A History of the United States (https://zpr.io/FyzMJAY8G7qe)
Robert Blaemire, Birch Bayh: Making A Difference (https://www.blaemire.us/)
Alex Keyssar, Why Do We Still Have the Electoral College? (https://zpr.io/kSf9uBQ7FHwa)
Let The People Pick the President: The Case for Abolishing The Electoral College (https://zpr.io/mug4xcMqeZCw) by Jesse Wegman
Videos:
CGP Grey series on The Electoral College (https://www.cgpgrey.com/the-electoral-college)
Birch Bayh speech about the Electoral College (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrAZVx7tekU) (from Ball State University Library which has many more Birch Bayh archival clips)
Birch Bayh’s campaign jingle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcvnS5zaxC4
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