Actually, it's quite simple...

The number of electoral votes for each state is arrived at by calculating the number of Senators and Representatives from that state...the smaller states, like Montana & Wyoming, have 3 EVs; one Rep & 2 Senators (every state has 2 senators). The larger states, like NY, CA & TX, which have many Reps, have more EVs...thus, one can win the presidency simply by winning a majority in the most populus 19 states!

Remember, we do not live in a "true" democracy, but a Republic.

Which is why the founding fathers didn't quite trust the "rabble" (common man) to determine the fate of the nation, but to those representing the common man in the electoral college. This is why Gore, who won the popular vote, is not president today.

This is why the pols are spending the rest of the next week in Michigan, Florida & Ohio (and Pennsylvania). Because of the "winner take all" set up, if you win 50.1% of the vote in any of these states, you get their entire electoral vote.

Maybe the system needs changing...I'm not going down that path right now...but it's the system under which we play right now...and, if you ask me, it's worked pretty good since 1783.

JFK vs GWB! It's all good baby!