Remember, today in state capitols throughout America, the ACTUAL election for President and Veep is happening. Only 538 Americans' votes count in the end. (Makes a lot of sense, right?)
Pictures as I get them, starting with the ones below:
Here I am outside Indiana's state capitol.
My ticket to the meeting of the Electors.
The Indiana Honor Guard.
Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita, the man who certifies Indiana's Electors.
Indiana's 11 Electors enter
One elector and one alternate.
11 Electors and Alternates take oath to vote (for the rest of us, since our votes don't really count).
The written oath of Hope Tribble, the lovely Alternate sitting next to me.
Here I am with Hope!
This is the best: Ben Leatherbury is a 19 year old Elector. Here he is holding his diploma -- er, Elector certificate. (To think his very first vote for President will actually count.)
Elector Michelle Boxell with her certificate.
And here's Michelle's actual ballot for President!
The tally is announced. Obama wins 11-0!
Rokita's a Republican and a good sport: he applauds when Biden wins VP 11-0.
Alternate John Bonecutter signs my program!
I love the mural in the House chamber. There's one just like it in Indianapolis' Eagle!
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. Sitting next to a woman named Hope, what a coincidence.
But, you know that the wise ones say that, "There are no coincidences."
Smooches, babe.
giftedgirl at 5:53PM on Dec 15th 2008
2.
Santa should be a primary, not an alternate.
I heard he & The Easterbunny have exchanged words over this issue, & that the Toothfairy is trying to auction off The Great Pumpkin's spot on Ebay.
She's such a slut.
Sherry
S.L. at 8:55PM on Dec 15th 2008
3.
I love Mr Bonecutter's beard !
I hope mine settles into such a fine shade of white
Yeah, SL, he does resemble the Jolly one doesn't he?
"and a lump of coal for little Johny Mac"
mac at 9:57PM on Dec 15th 2008
4.
And the kid kind of depresses me.
What ever became of my potential :(
mac at 9:57PM on Dec 15th 2008
5. Too funny!
Mr. Bonecutter does look like Santa! His mustache and beard are beautifully groomed, indeed!
And, I betcha he can't stand the Reindeer Killer. Yup, yup.
giftedgirl at 10:27PM on Dec 15th 2008
6. Mo, that's a great scarf. Tom Baker would admire it. Perhaps to gain access you displayed your psychic paper?
Doctor Who references aside, it's too bad your camera (phone?) didn't produce better photos. Looks interesting.
Kozz at 9:07AM on Dec 16th 2008
7. MoRocca, you have deigned to come to Indianapolis.
You at least could have polished your shoes. Tacky.
JillJG at 4:29PM on Dec 16th 2008
8.
Mr. Rocca... Must say, I agree w/ Jill about the toe-polish on the shoes - that *was* pretty bad.. I actually thought (from the distance of pic) that you purposely had 1 of the Sedarises (Amy, because she's crafty) paint some naked toes on the ends of your shoes.
Oh.. my point for posting... Will somebody w/ a medical degree please look @ the leg of that woman in the mural?
It looks like she's got some phlebitis/edema thing happening, & I am concerned for her. Way out of proportion, & the cankle makes me nervous.
Sherry
S.L. at 9:16PM on Dec 16th 2008
9.
The Electoral College should be abolished and public officials elected based on majority vote.
Freeboot at 10:27PM on Dec 16th 2008
10. Indiana loves you, Mo!
Gabrielle at 8:46AM on Dec 17th 2008
11. We are all Americans, it is true. But some live in cities, some have agrarian lives. There are big states and small states (again, large in size and population). Some are industrial; others are centers of banking and others of politics. Some rely on a strong presence by the military for economic survival. There are many other configurations. For too many, the few TV shows we watch become the common reality and we assume that if it makes sense to a talking head on the tube it must make sense in the real world. It does not! The perfect example is the famed movie critic Pauline Kael's reaction when McGovern was destroyed by Nixon in the 1972 Presidential election. She asked a friend, "How can this be? No one I know voted for Nixon." All of us live in a truncated subset of the real world.
I believe that the Electoral College is a strength to our Country. It forces the candidates to build broad coalitions and pay attention to states where they are not overwhelmingly strong. Listening to those folks has to be a help to someone whose job it is to be the Chief Executive for ALL the people.
- Craig Matteson, in review of 'Enlightened Democracy - The Case for the Electoral College'
JillJG at 8:46AM on Dec 17th 2008
12. All right! All right! My shoes were scuffed. The shoot was early and I didn't have time to get them shined. (I came back to NYC with beautiful shoes, since the shoe shine guy led an intervention at the Indy airport on the way home.)
Now Jill, you know you are welcome on the blog anytime. But you have been misled on the electoral college (perhaps by a debonair small-stater?): the rationale put forward by defenders of the system that the EC is a protection for small states is a big ole red herring.
Of the 10 smallest states in the Union, one ONE - New Hampshire - was a swing state and saw any campaigning during the general election. All the other small states were IGNORED by McCain and Obama, as were big states like Texas, California and NY.
Over 90% of campaign dollars were spent in a handful of medium-large states like Penn, Florida and Ohio.
The reason that the absurd anti-democratic (small "d"!) system remains intact is:
1. It's very difficult for any constitutional amendment to pass.
2. Although the small states are ignored by candidates, they relish the extra weight they're given in the EC. (Because of the addition of two votes - representing Senators - to their number of House reps, South Dakota ends up counting more on a pro rata basis than California. Not very fair!)
Mo Rocca at 12:18PM on Dec 17th 2008
13. Mo you are absolutely cute! And so smart!
s at 5:36PM on Dec 17th 2008
14. MoRocca,
Thank you for the welcome.
I do not believe that the Electoral College is a protection for small states. Wyoming has TWO electoral votes. Big deal.
If the election were determined only by the popular vote, the candidates would campaign in only the most densely populated areas, California, NY, and Texas. They would focus less on the practical details of issues that matter to people, be it industry, agriculture, tourist economy, etc. These issues actually matter to our country. Therefore, the candidates SHOULD be informed and knowledgeable about them.
You want the EC abandoned so the emphasis would be on popularity not on CONCRETE issues that effect people at the grass roots.
I would venture to say you have little respect for the grass roots people. They are the ignorant masses who need to be told (mislead) what is good for them by a debonair big stater.
JillJG at 8:34PM on Dec 17th 2008
15. Wyoming has three electoral votes.
Thanks for calling me debonair. I'm blushing!
Mo Rocca at 11:40PM on Dec 17th 2008