history lesson

late, late last night, when i was in the midst of studying brain tumors but just could not bring myself to think any more about neurology, my mind [and browser] wandered to [what else?] our pride and joy, jayjayate.blogspot.com. chaucer's electoral analysis led me to pollster.com, and subsequent musings on the electoral college. oh, the electoral college.... so fucking wierd. further procastination led me to www.270towin.com - electoral maps since the heyday of US presidential elections. here are a few glimpses through the ages:


the first biggest ass kicking american electoral history. james monroe cleaned up. actually, he ran unopposed. john quincy adams got 1 electoral vote, but apparently it was just out of pity.





our friend JQA did a little bit better in 1824, but still lost to andrew jackson. this is actually the last election where 4 candidates all had a serious shot at getting tapped. this was also the last election that was decided by the house of representatives, since no candidate got a majority of the electoral vote.





1928 => 1932. the most profound change of mind americans have had.

and finally, the other greatest ass kicking in american electoral history. the gipper just destroyed walter mondale - 525-10. he even took massachusetts.






it should be interesting to see what happens next week. at least, by then there will be one less topic keeping me distracted from school.....


p.s. word on the street is that when this course ends [in 18 days!!!] we will actually be allowed to have a life again.