Biden wins White House, vowing new direction for divided U.S.

Re:Biden wins White House, vowing new direction for divided ... by nemetroid on Saturday November 07, 2020 @04:41PM (#25019763)

> Neither is the President who is actually elected by the Electoral College and not by a popular majority.

In this context, the electoral college is an implementation detail. American voters put a checkmark next to their personal preference for president, UK voters do no such thing.

> Regardless, does this even matter in terms of how politically powerful that single person is?

Yes, it makes a huge difference! The PM of the UK stays prime minister as long as they have the confidence of a majority of the House of Commons. The president of the US can only be prematurely removed if they are convicted of serious crime.

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Re:Biden wins White House, vowing new direction for divided ... by CalChris on Saturday November 07, 2020 @04:59PM (#25019944)

Voting is by name and election is by the Electoral College. The indirection remains.

No, House impeachment and Senate trial do not require a serious or indeed any crime. Impeachment is entirely a political matter akin to losing a confidence vote. It carries no penalty besides removal from office. Serious crimes and misdemeanors is not specified and drunkenness has been used (although it was around 1800 or so).

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