As reporter Gary Soulsman's story on Friday made clear, you're actually voting for three electors, who'll meet inDover in six weeks to cast their ballots for president. While the political parties name electors who are loyalists, and who are being rewarded with that honor for being loyal, there's always a chance of a rebel. The law in Delaware, and perhaps half of the other states, requires a vote for the ticket that wins the popular vote. State Rep. Wayne Smith and Sens. Smith says that Deputy Attorney General Malcolm Cobin has assured him that should a recalcitrant elector violate that law at the Dec. 18 Electoral College vote, the courts would be asked to step in before the vote is certified to Congress.
Some constitutional scholars question such judicial interference.
And there's bound to be talk about Joe Biden running again for president in 2004 or whether Mike Castle would challenge Biden in 2002. As usual on Return Day, politicians will be looking toward the future rather than the recent past. Harry F. Themal has been writing for The News Journal since 1959.