Osher Lifelong Learning Institute- The Electoral College

James K. Oliver, Emma Smith Morris Professor Of Political Science And International Relations, Emeritus, University Of Delaware presents "Winning and Losing the Presidency: The Electoral College, Impeachment, and Conviction of the President of the U.S." Three times in the 19th century, men were elected President without receiving a majority of the popular votes cast in the election. Twice since 2000, men have followed the same path to the presidency: George W. Bush and Donald Trump. In all five cases they were chosen by the Electoral College. Two presidents have been impeached by the House of Representatives, but none convicted by the Senate. Richard Nixon resigned when confronted with the likelihood of his impeachment. The Democrats’ newly won majority in the House of Representatives increases the possibility of Donald Trump’s impeachment. This talk will analyse these extraordinary, but constitutionally established, means for winning and losing the Presidency.