Like we reported, the problem seems to have started with Vox’s Ezra Klein complaining about something he called the “House popular vote,” and from there it grew into a nationwide myth about the “Senate popular vote” once the Election Day numbers were in and the big blue wave didn’t materialize, certainly not in the Senate.
Democrats have a 12-point lead in the overall popular vote for the Senate and have lost three seats.
— Evan Hill (@evanchill) November 7, 2018
“The overall popular vote for the Senate.”
We can’t even count the number of people who are passing around these numbers on Twitter and other social media, but it’s something special when a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin – Madison is pushing the concept of the Senate popular vote.
Senate popular vote:
Democrats: 40,558,262 (55.4%)
Republicans: 31,490,026 votes (43.0%)Senate seats: Republicans +3
— Mark Copelovitch (@mcopelov) November 7, 2018
The math’s right there, people: Vox is right; time to scrap both the Electoral College and the Senate and maybe just the whole Consitution while we’re at it.
There is no "senate popular vote".
— Smokey Behr #CodeIsSpeech (@Smokeybehr) November 7, 2018
Professor of bullshit narratives.
— Anthony Bialy (@AnthonyBialy) November 7, 2018
You realize this means absolutely nothing…. Your side really argues terribly
— Swami (@SwamiG8R) November 8, 2018
That’s…not how this works.
— Joshua Elliott (@joshuaelliott_) November 7, 2018
There is a lot to discuss about the election results. THIS is not one of them as it is a meaningless stat. That isn't how this works.
— Jay Gremillion (@jaygremillion) November 7, 2018
Recommended
Oh my goodness, again with this…..
— TAM I AM (@Lovin_the_life4) November 8, 2018
? These takes have to stop.
— Mike Goots (@Goots86) November 8, 2018
What an awesome advertisement for the U of Wisconsin
— CK1971 (@ck1971) November 7, 2018
33 seats. Democrats kept 67% of them. BUT WITH ONLY 55% OF THE VOTE?
— J E (@jermsguy) November 7, 2018
So, Dems won 55 percent of the Senate vote but 66 percent of the seats up for election. You're right, that's not fair! They should have to give up 7 more seats! A political science prof who doesn't understand politics, the Constitution, or math.
— John Bicknell (@JohnBick1960) November 7, 2018
Remind me how California elects senators, please.
— Kevin Gutzman (@KevinGutzman) November 8, 2018
There is no such thing as a Senate popular vote. How does this even make sense?
— Taylor Magill (@magill_taylor) November 8, 2018
It doesn't. Not even a little bit. Can you sue a professor for malpractice?
— Russ Nelson (@russnelson) November 8, 2018
This is why we have the House
— Matt Sherman (@MattShermmmmm) November 7, 2018
Yes, you just discovered the Connecticut Compromise. I learned of this when I was 12. Better late than never. Here to help.
— Cody Davis (@_CodyDavis) November 8, 2018
Infuriating how low these folks will go to push their agenda. This is beginners government yet sadly some people will buy this ?
— Aaron Vanhorenbeck (@aaronvbeck) November 8, 2018
The US is a federation. Has been since 1776. This is EXACTLY how the system is supposed to work to protect the interests of many small poor states against those of a few large rich ones.
— C. Magee (@cwmagee) November 8, 2018
There's that thing called the Constitution which explains this but whatever
— Jeremy Levi (@JeremyLevi1) November 7, 2018
And the fact that California, the most populous state, was running 2 Democrats ?♀️
— Tova (@vota86) November 7, 2018
Which leaves over 5 million registered Republicans and Independents on the sidelines
— Jeremy Levi (@JeremyLevi1) November 8, 2018
THEY GERRYMANDERED THE STATE BORDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— kevin grier (@ez_angus) November 8, 2018
See the gray states in the map? They didn't have ANY senators up for election, so they are not even represented in your "Senate popular vote." That's why it's a ridiculous metric. You teach this stuff???https://t.co/mAzkWCNePY
— John Taznar (@Taznari) November 8, 2018
You do understand that for this tweet to even begin to make any sense, you would have to aggregate the results from the ‘16 and ‘14 Senate elections, right? Because you teach PoliSci, you understand that only a third of the Senate is up every cycle, right?
— David Benzcyzki (@benzcyzkinh) November 8, 2018
I'm thinking you failed math and maybe Civics too. Read this. Slowly https://t.co/NhI4kU83ci
— JTB (@TSentenil) November 8, 2018
I find it hard to believe a political science professor would not understand how Senate seats are determined. Or are you intentionally obfuscating your expertise to make a political point?
— Jonathan Stout (@DrJonnyBoy68) November 7, 2018
Since each state independently elects their Senators independent from the others, exactly what purpose does these statistics serve other than to inflame the uneducated???
— Jim DeCourcy (@jimdecourcy) November 8, 2018
Why would I want a senator from another state to represent my state?
— Rob Hoegg (@rjhoe47) November 7, 2018
The same people who believe this are the same people who though Beto should have won because liberals from other states support him. Also the same people who think they can vote in a different state they aren't a citizen of
— Ol' Boy Steve (@AdamsUser) November 8, 2018
We are a Republic yes? Did I miss something? pic.twitter.com/UxqnbtnUZp
— chad ruzich (@BeardownRu) November 8, 2018
It’s called a bicameral legislature, it’s only been around since like the conception of the nation, maybe you should look into it sometime
— Matt Duca (@mattduca321) November 8, 2018
Professor of Political Science. Yes it seems our education needs to be free! People are obviously not getting what they paid for.
— MyChelley (@llalachickebaby) November 7, 2018
This is a political science professor. Not a very good or honest one. https://t.co/8GdqmPJpBW
— (((Jason Rantz))) on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) November 9, 2018
You dont really get how voting works, do you.
— Torrey M. Spears ?? (@torreymspears) November 8, 2018
A late contender for the year's most hilariously innumerate tweet.
— Mike Van Riper (@mike_vanriper) November 8, 2018
1960 World Series Yankees total runs = 55, Pirates total runs = 27. Pirates still 1960 World Series champions. #MLB #civics
— Joe Spotswoode (@spotswoode) November 7, 2018
Can’t wait for tomorrow when you tell us who won by height!
— Brandon (@BrandonTaylorLV) November 8, 2018
Are you stoned?
If not, consider it.
— clayjohanson (@clayjohanson) November 8, 2018
You need to surrender your PhD.
— 1967mustangman (@1967mustangman) November 7, 2018
Related:
George Takei seems upset that liberal paradise California is so big and only gets two senators https://t.co/UN3dwZvOyp
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) November 8, 2018
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