Judith Best is distinguished teaching professor of political science at the State University of New York at Cortland. Thomas E. Cronin is president of Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.

[This] careful analysis of the multidimensional arguments that have swirled around the electoral college for two centuries is presented clearly and cogently . . . should be read carefully by those familiar with the debate and especially by those who are not.

• Chapter 1 Foreword Part 2 Part I: Why the Electoral College Keeps Winning: The Federal Principle in Presidential Elections Chapter 3 Introduction Chapter 4 Do We Have a Winner? The Right Winner: Not by Numbers Alone! The Federal Principle and the Presidency Chapter 5 Closing the College Chapter 6 Beating the Alternatives Chapter 7 The Constitutional Solar System Chapter 8 Appendix A: Distribution of Electoral Votes, 1991-2000 Chapter 9 Appendix B: Popular and Electoral Votes in Presidential Elections, 1789-1992 Chapter 10 Select Bibliography Part 11 Part II: Readings Chapter 12 Editor's Introduction Chapter 13 Statement of Lawrence D. Longley before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution (1992) Chapter 14 Statement of Governor Morris in the Federal Convention of 1787 Chapter 15 The Federalist Papers 39, 51, and 68 (excerpts) Chapter 16 The U.S. Constitution: Article II, Amendment 12, and Amendment 20 Chapter 17 Report of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Direct Popular Election of the President and Vice President (1977) Chapter 18 Statement by Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan on the Electoral College (1979) Chapter 19 Index