The Institute of World Politics Trustee and alumnus Michael Maibach was recently featured in the Documentary film Safeguard: An Electoral College Story.
Written and directed by M.A. Taylor, Safeguard takes on the growing threat to our Electoral College system with a combination of historical evidence and expert analysis. Mr. Maibach joins an esteemed cast including, among others, Mr. Steve Forbes, Mr. Bradley A. Smith, and Dr. Allen Guelzo.
Dr. Guelzo, Director of the Initiative on Politics and Statesmanship at Princeton University, lectured at The Institute of World Politics in 2018 on the statesmanship of President Abraham Lincoln. Safeguard reminds us that President Lincoln was elected in 1860 by 18 of the then 33 states – a clear Electoral College victory, despite winning only 39.8% of the popular vote. Americans, especially in 1860, were agreed that we are “a Nation of States.”
Over the course of 76 minutes, this distinguished panel affirms the validity of the Founders’ design of the Electoral College and presents a compelling case for the necessity of its preservation today.
Mr. Maibach cleverly illustrates the logic of our Electoral College system with a relatable reference to the World Series: “It’s not who gets the most runs in seven games, it’s who wins the most games!” As talk of abolishing this uniquely American system of electing our President seems to be gaining traction in certain circles, this film presents its argument at an opportune time.
President Carter’s former Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Thomas “Bert” Lance, once famously said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Safeguard: An Electoral College Story shows the viewer just how applicable that adage is to our Electoral College system, and to the World Series for that matter!
Safeguard: An Electoral College Story is currently available on Amazon Prime Video.
IWP course on Sources of American Political Thought