Without a doubt, the most similar concern in the novel and in the 2000 presidential election is the controversy surrounding the Electoral College. Although most people would not necessarily consider the Electoral College a problem, the system’s glitches are brought to light in both instances. Following the death of MacArthur Foyle, Greenfield’s ill-fated popular vote winner, the office of President of the United States is equivocal. The Republican Party simply bumps up Foyle’s dim-witted yet thoughtful running mate, Theodore Block, for the elector’s presidential choice. When Dorothy Ledger, an elector from Michigan, brings up the troubling question of whether her fellow electors would have to fo

One of the most prevalent forces in any election is the presence of the media. In The People’s Choice, Greenfield uses his insider’s advantage to show the media’s prominence in crucial times. Much of the novel is focused on Al DeRossa, a political analyst for the news, and the lifestyle he adopts after being buried in government issues for so many years. Although DeRossa and his associates are aware of Block’s inability to fill his new position, the media focuses on the conflict rather than the candidate. A study of election coverage in 2000 revealed that only 13% of news stories focused on the candidate and his ideas while an alarming 80% focused on changes in strategy, organizational problems, and monetary issues within the party (“In the Public Interest?”). In both instances, network executives and newspaper editors chose conflict instead of information that may have better served the public. By delivering eye-catching graphics and inventing sensational titles such as “Kollege Kapers” and “Day of Decision,” news veterans appeared to care more about ratings than delivering the facts (Greenfield 254). These sentiments hold true in reality as well. Pounded with new headlines hourly, Americans glued themselves to their news outlets for fear of missing an important development in what Time magazine dubbed “The Election Turf War” and “The Supreme Contest.” (“Time Archives: 2000 Election.”). This media frenzy only emphasizes the need for educated voters who can choose the issues that matter to them.

After considering the many factors that bind the fictitious vote and the election of 2000, the outcome of Greenfield’s novel emerges as astonishingly realistic. America’s current electoral system obviously does not provide for the perplexing circumstances that challenge the characters. The chaos of 2000 only reinforces the idea that uncertainty in the political arena can result in complete disarray. Furthermore, with only about half of the states legally requiring their electors to vote for a specific candidate, it would be entirely possibly for a similar mishap to occur under the correct conditions (“2000 Presidential Election: State Laws and Requirements.”). Greenfield’s portrayal of the media, however, is somewhat biase

Some topics in this essay:
Electoral College, People’s Choice, Supreme Contest”, Requirements” Greenfield’s, Public Interest”, Al DeRossa, Dorothy Ledger, Court Courtroom, Al Gore, Bush Gore, popular vote, electoral college, electoral votes, people’s choice, popular vote winner, election 2000, vote winner, presidential election, electors vote, c-span election, 2000 election,