. >> the weird twist there is, you have the maine and nebraska models in effect now.ner of the popular vote gets the two at-large votes. and there has been that plit in 2008. the twist in virginia is it is the winner of the most congressional districts. it is a strange move. there is sort of an admission here by republicans that there is a threat here that if this gathers steam, if the big blue states, if you had that basic maine nebraska model, the vote would have been 276 romney and 262 obama. it is that condensed. in a few numbers of districts and in the state. the democrats have the numbers but republican ares have land mass and that is where it kind of shows. >> the next big election massachusetts senate. john kerry is day as way from confirmation. and they have to have an interim senator appointed the official position of this show is go with experience and go with barney frank >> it was big of you to take yourself out of the mix. >> i decided to go with more experience. >> you know, it has been fascinated. my sense of the situation is that he was looking to app

. >> reporter: maine and nebraska already award electoral votes by congressional district. but that's never changed the election outcome. but if the whole country adopted plans now being considered in virginia, michigan, ohio, pennsylvania and wisconsin, instead of obama winning 332-206, the electoral map would have gone from blue to red. romney over obama. 273-262, by one estimate. some leading republicans oppose the change. >> i am a traditionalist myself. i really am a conservative. i'm a little bit skeptical of this. >> reporter: and tonight, virginia's governor, bob mcdonald came out against it. in fact, potential candidates are warning the party as a bigger problem. >> we've got to stop being the stupid party. and i'm serious. it's time for a new republican party that talks like adults. we had a number of republicans that damaged this year with offensive and bizarre comments. >> a warning that changing what candidates say could be more important than changing how they count votes. andrea mitchell, nbc news, washington. >>> and still ahead here on a friday night, a pub

important -- >> gregg: they can still be heard, if you just do it on a proportionality, like maine and nebraskas, but maine and nebraska, as you know, only have two and three congressional districts. and only one has any not won everything there. when you begin to get into states like texas or pen, then you're beginning as an individual state to jerry mannedder what the outcome can be. then four years from now as democrats control that, then they change it back to the old way and you've lost so much trust in politicians already, you lose trust in the sanctity of the politics. >> gregg: what's wrong with direct popular vote? al gore is an advocate of it. of course, there have been four presidents who have been elected who didn't win the popular vote. george w. bush beat al gore in one of those. >> as you know, regardless of if you're a popular former president like teddy roosevelt or eccentric billionaire, you can not become president unless you carry half of the country because of the electoral college. if you do away with that, let any popular mayer or movie star or baseball successful player,

we heard from andry a nebraska and maine use the congressional district system right now. why change the rules now? >> i have to say, craig, this has me scratching my head. i'm a partisan republican. >> at least you acknowledge it. >> i'm not happy how the election came out. i think there are a lot of things we should focus on. trying to find a way how to get an electoral college victory while still losing the popular vote by over three points doesn't seem to send the right message to the american people and the right message is we've heard you. we listened to you and we need to do a better job of explaining what we believe. we have to do a better job of recruiting candidates and we have to learn from the obama machine how to turn out voters and have a grassroots operation and something we used to be good at. >> i want to put this map back up again and it shows what would have happened had these rules been in place and this is "the huffington post" of this map. what does this is a of the gop and there are folks inside the party who are considering something like this? >> w

unlike maine and nebraska. that's an idea that really set people off.t even if someone loses the state overall, they're not going to get the two extra electorates. >> this is what this whole thing exposes. it exposes the weakness of the democratic party by focusing on national elections and not state elections. one of the reasons we're seeing these take place, like voter suppression laws, like when it comes to abortion and the president's health care plan, is that republicans flipped 60 legislators in 2010. democrats have got to understand, if you do not have statewide parties, if you're not running statewide, this is how you lose. howard dean talked about a 50-state strategy. if democrats don't begin to understand that, and keep letting republicans take over the house and the senate and the governors' mansions in states, we'll see more of this happening. this really is exposing the weakness of the democratic party statewide as opposed to winning nationally. >> thanks to both of you. have a wonderful weekend. >>> still to come, the french government has

currently, two states, maine and nebraska, award electoral votes by congressional districts. only once in nebraska in 2008 resulted in the vote going to a candidate that didn't win the statewide popular vote but the math changes in bigger states where democratic voting populations are jammed in to a handful of districts in metropolitan areas and republican voters more widely dispersed across the state. apply the model to 50 states and mitt romney would have won the electoral vote 276 to 262 last november and lost the national popular vote by 5 million votes. there is a lot to talk about here. the point to appreciate about why a move like this would work so much in republican party's favor is that sort of ideologically and partisan identity, the country's sorting itself out and the rising democratic coalition, nonwhite, young, college educated, this sort of thing, that rising democratic coalition is packed in to metropolitan areas and you will have overwhelming -- take a big state that might have 15 electoral votes, you will have 3 or 4 congressional districts with overwhelmin

now, except for maine and nebraska, if you win, i.e., one vote, you get winner take all of all the electoralollege votes. in virginia, for instance, obama won by about 140,000 votes. and he got all 13 electoral votes. the republican senate and house, the republicans there, it's tied in the state senate, want to divide the electoral college vote by the -- by congressional districts. if you win a congressional district, then you get an electoral college vote. if that had occurred this time, the president would have gotten four electoral votes, and mitt romney would have gotten nine. and republicans control state legislatures and governors in a lot of states. what they think is because of the changing demographics, this is what they want to do. and governor mcdonald -- >> a lot to about, about making a change. >> governor mcdonald says, no, he will not approve this. and so it probably will not happen in virginia. but nationally, you have to watch particular states. for instance, in pennsylvania they want to do it by just what the state wide vote is. so each party is trying to angle for their gr

right now those rules are in effect in two states maine and nebraska. but g.o.p. in michigan pennsylvania and virginia are also considering making the change. the g.o.p. also isn't backing down on its effort to restrict access to the ballot box by potential democratic voters wherever it can. so the democratic legislators in both houses are offering an voter empowerment act. modernize voter registration systems. ensure online voter registration. allow same-day registration. restore voting rights to convicted criminals after they've paid their debt to society and been released. and set standard for polling place practices. i'm happy to be joined by the one and only john conyers. what a pleasure. >> greetings, and it's a pleasure to be with you sir. >> john: it's great to have you. i'm very inspired but what you're trying to do. the g.o.p. only held the house through jerrymandering, why is a voter amendment needed. >> what we found out after the election in november was that there were a great number of disillusionses voters who had to wait hours in line, not just in

maine has done it. nebraskaas done it. >> we have some indications from richmond from governor mcdonough that he isn't going to be in favor of this. at least a leading state senator there has said so far that he is against it, and if it not going to get out of committee in the senate, it's not going to be approved, it won't get to the govern governor's desk. >> doesn't it make it look as though the republicans are trying to sort of game the system? isn't it a bad sort of -- >> andrea, how can -- >> isn't it a bad tactic for the republican party to take -- >> i don't know how you can ask that question when you in the immediate previous breath told me that. >> maybe somebody has to be a republican. the democrats won't let out of committee, usually the democratic party doesn't have to answer for -- >> my point is -- >> or get out of committee. >> my point is that since the reports this morning, which said that this could actually be passed in virginia by next week, we've been checking, we've been, you know -- we've

look at states like maine and nebraska, they already have this congressional allocation for electoral problem. a lot of republicans are already getting a lot of heat for trying to meddle with this system. but in 2000, early 2000s when al gore won the popular vote there were people talking about rethinking the electoral college. this is not some scandal to think about the electoral college. >> your thoughts, steve. i think it's a scandal. but your thoughts. >> i think it's a scandal, too. and i think the republicans who go near it will get singed. toes republican governors who are thinking about it, everybody's going to understand that this is a way to undo the election. it's a way to take the winner of the popular vote. barack obama won by 5 million. he won the -- the democrats won the congressional vote by 1.5 million. this is a way to overturn the election. people will understand that, and republicans will be punished. >> i believe that if a state that votes majority for one guy for president, either party, and finds out two or three days later that the majority of their electoral v

nebraska and maine. never been a problem, mainly because maine has been seen as a blue state. state and they have few electoral votes. what created controversy here, the states that are potentially considering this, like virginia, like michigan, like pennsylvania. these are traditionally battleground states that could end up having an impact on the presidential election future contest if they are adopted. >> first, who is supporting this? >> these are republican state lawmakers across the country doing this. and one of the arguments in favor of this, they believe this would give rural community, rural skroeters, more of a say in elections, the counterargument, that is taking the votes away from a lot of urban voters, democratic voters and people believe this is a way to have the republican party have a significant advantage in future presidential contests. by the example of virginia that i mentioned or the nationwide thing, republicans, due to the fact that they control much of the redistricting after 2012, would have a big, big advantage. >> if governor mcdonnell is coming out

nebraska is more complicated than maine.y're trying to do it--the proponents say it's the most democratic way to do it, but it's decidedly undemocratic because they have people drawing the lines. when that happens it can only lead to a very undemocratic and disasterrous result. >> cenk: it looks like we'll avoid it for now and they've been shamed into it. the republicans have retreated from things in the past that seem so controversial only to come back to them later when people had gotten used to the idea oh, maybe not so bad. look as chris pointed out the democrats have wanted to do it in the past, it doesn't matter which party it is, it's a bad idea. in a democracy more votes should equate to winning the election. the u.s. court of appeals on the dc circuit all three republicans said president obama's recent appointments are not constitutional. quote, obama did not have the power to make three recent appointments in the national labor relations board because the senate was officially in session at the time. how important

nebraska and maine.itical party made a fuss about it because neither of those two states has been considered a swing state in recent elections. >> bret: seems like a long shot. what do you think of the winer take all system? let me know on twitter. follow me. @brettbaier. the union lose member at the workplace. across the country. the fox all-stars talk about it. when we come back. ♪ [ male announcer ] this is karen and jeremiah. they don't know it yet, but they're gonna fall in love, get married, have a couple of kids, children laughing ] move to the country, d live a long, happy life together where they almost never fight about money. [ dog barks ] because right after they get married, they'll find some retirement people who are paid on salary, not commission. they'll get straightforward guidance and be able to focus on other things, like each other, which isn't rocket science. it's just common sense. from td ameritrade. that's the question. every day. when you have the most advanced tools, you want to

to draw the map but there 24 states we can use for examples of this when we talk about how nebraska and maineocate their electoral votes. we use the most recent election, they have the congressional district method. we saw romney won nebraska's electoral. if it works for those two states, why not for others? >> the dichotomy, they are rural states. they don't have many congressional members to start with. obviously, have two senators. but we need to understand that the republicans aren't doing this because there's a lack of representation. they're doing this because they want to win the executive branch. they are doing this because they don't want a democrat in the white house. and they have realized the power that they have at the local level. and in the era of obstruction, on the heels of 380 filibusters in the senate, it sets the table to go ahead and do whatever you want. i believe it gives them license to say, well, the public is not pushing back on that. harry reid hasn't changed the rules. i mean, i think these two stories parallel one another. it gives a mind-set these l lawmakers can

. >> it does seem bizarre to me, hagel is a vietnam vet from nebraska. our mainion about him is it he violent enough. what does he need to do? >> john: this is nothing about hagel. this is for republicans who can't stand barack obama. when chuck hagel mentioned the jewish lobby, if he had said the israel lobby apack, they would roll over for him. they're claiming this makes him a brutal anti-semite. if you're going to criticize someone, that's like saying you don't like the beatles because you don't like ringo's voice. >> they say jews controlled politics. mel gibson showed and got a standing ovation. jews can't control hollywood. look what happened with hagel. >> jews aren't working security at the golden globes. [ laughter ] >> he didn't say anything that bad about israel. i love israel just as much as the next brain-washed american. you could make a strong argument that they're the hipsters of the middle east. >> john: they really are. it is worth pointing out israel is not some monolithic entity. there is a lot of political diversity in israel. lots of us wou

. >> as people know who follow the makeup of the electoral college know that nebraska and maine havesystem in place. using that example, why isn't this something that can work in certain states? other battleground states. >> well, i mean, you know, what we're concerned about is in particular places where you have large cities or where the republicans have actually concentrated, especially communities of color, in to one district. that means that those folks are not going to have a real voice because they'll get one vote and then the votes in the electoral college will be scattered so the voting power of communities of color in particular diluted and republicans were really smart to make sure when they took over state legislatures it was in a year where redistricting happened and divide political power and so they decided in it a way in which they can win in the end. >> incumbents control the map right there. great to see you. thank you for your time. >> thanks, thomas. >>> advocates of same-sex marriage celebrating today. the rhode island house of representatives overwhelmingly appro

. >> it's only nebraska and maine that do this. they allocate by congressional districts.e the ability to do it if they wanted to. >> states do have the right to do it since they are relatively small. it hasn't come to make a huge distinction. we did talk about the possibility of 269 or 269. it didn't turn out that way. it's possible in a close election that the thought process with republicans is what can we do to get more out of pennsylvania and ohio and virginia? the governor put the ka bosh on that. if you did it in an international level, candidates would campaign in states where the last 10 to 16 years we evaporate seen it. >> it would be a fascinating development. >> thanks very much. in our 6:00 p.m. eastern hour, the chairman of the republican national committee will be my guest right here in "the situation room." so is louisiana governor bobby jindal right to call his republican party stupid? i will ask the former republican candidate and the house speaker newt gingrich who is standing by live here in "the situation room." a major set back for president obama aft

. >>> in nebraska now, a tree came crashing down nearly destroying a few homes. the crash was due to erosion caused by a water main break. re crews have recruited the tree but had trouble. >>> lamborghini launched their latest luxury cars pushed 500 to 585 miles an hour. >>> and finally, the big apple is buzzing over the two new breeds that will compete at this year's westminster kennel club dog show. russell terriers and treeing walker coonhounds have been invited. 3200 dogs are expected to compete for the best in show title next month. >>> moving ton sports, we start with tiger woods at the farmers insurance open. tiger became the first pga tour player to win eight times at a single course capturing win number 75 of his career. >>> in college basketball, number two kansas fought off a challenge from west virginia to extend the nation's longest winning streak to 18 games. the jayhawks over the mountaineers, 61-56. in the nba, memphis rallied from a 17-point deficit and 26 points against philadelphia. the grizzlies defeated the 76ers, 103-100. >>> and president obama welcomed the nba champions the miami heat to th

. >>> in nebraska a tree came crashing down nearly destroying a few homes. the collapse was due to erosion caused by a water main break. crews have removed the tree but are still having trouble plugging the rupture. >>> a portion of miami international airport was transformed into a speedway. love these cars. lamborghini launching their latest luxury car pushing to 185 miles an hour during the speed tests. look at that beauty. they start at just under $400,000. i think it's a bargain. >>> and finally, the big apple is buzzing over the two new breeds that will compete at this year's westminster kennel club dog show. russell terriers and treeing walker conconhounds have been invited to new york city for the annual competition. 3200 dogs are expected to compete for the best in show title next month. >>> in sports we start with tiger woods at farmers insurance open. tiger won by 4 strokes as they completed play at tory pines in california. tiger became the first pga tour player to win eight times at a single course capturing win number 75 of his career. >>> in college basketball, number two kansas fought off a chall

like the idea of being able to compete for that vote in maine, really hate the idea of having to compete for that electoral vote in omaha, nebraskanow we're seeing states like pennsylvania, michigan, wisconsin, states like that where there are complete republican control in states that go blue on the presidential level. we could see that being changed too. >> interesting fights, interesting way to look at it. it's unbelievable that how -- we have divided government here. the rest of the country -- >> it's the salad dressing. we're pulling apart. the separation of the salad dressing. >> very interesting analogy. reid wilson, thank you very much, sir. >> thank you. >>> the speaker setbacks. john boehner will get to keep his gavel today. but, boy, does he really want it? who really runs his conference? the gaggle joins me next. but first, it's the white house soup of the day. yes, the mess is open. and it's loaded potato. could have used some of that a couple days ago. don't forget to check out our website, rundown@msnbc.com. coming soon, soup recipes, i think. we'll be right back. you're watching "the daily rundown" on msnbc. [ ryo

he is a former senator from nebraska. 30% say they're unsure about hagel. what should be the mainth immigration? 53% say there should be a plan to have illegal immigrants become residents and 43% say deporting them and stopping more from am coulding to the u.s. soon arctic blast and a winter storm could make for a messy and dangerous commute all over new england this morning. jennifer delgado is tracking that storm. >>> you thought it was cold yesterday in washington, d.c. look at the temperatures and what it feels like through parts of the upper midwest, plains, and ohio valley. look at those wind chill values. minus 39 in duluth. minus 22 in minneapolis. of course, these temperatures are barely making it above the freezing mark. and this cold air has invaded parts of the u.s. it's not going anywhere. you can see for yourself, anywhere in blue we have a wind chill advisory. that means wind chill values today and even some locations through tomorrow, they're going to be down to minus 35. that includes parts of west virginia and areas like pennsylvania as well as into new york. so

jeff flake of arizona and deb fischer of nebraska, democrats heidi heitkamp of north dakota and tim kaine of virginia, as well as independent angus king of maine. you can find those interviews on our web site. >> ifill: finally tonight, this year marks the 150th anniversary of the emancipation proclamation. a three-part series on pbs's "american experience" profiles the passionate anti-slavery activists who convinced president abraham lincoln to take action. "the abolitionists" tells the stories of five major figures: frederick douglass, william lloyd garrison, angelina grim- keÉy, harriet beecher stowe, and john brown. this excerpt is about douglass, the african-american writer and movement leader. arizona. >> by the winter of 1845, frederick douglass had been touring the anti-slavery circuit for for four years. as he contemplated his future he couldn't imagine himself traveling forever in the shadow of his white mentors repeating his story to small gatherings of the curious and the converted. >> tell your story, frederick. but whisper my friend william lloyd garrison as we stepped upon the platform. i cannot always obey for it did not satisf

nebraska. and democrats heidi white camp of north dakota and tim kaine of virginia as well as independent angus king of maine. you can find those interviews on our web site. approach to teaching that's >> ifill: now, a different approach to teaching that's catching on in some schools. it's less focused on testing, per se and more on making sure that students are picking up skills they can apply in the real world. special correspondent john tulenko from our colleagues at the learning matters team has the story. >> reporter: for a dozen years education policymakers bet more testing and more accountability would mean more learning. but the gains have been modest at best and achievement gaps persist. and then there's everything that's not on the tests-- like creativity, responsibility and self-motivation. leaders in business and academia say not enough is being done to develop these vital traits. one possible solution? give students ways to apply their learning to bigger things than taking tests. >> we're building robots that are made to collect resources which are ping-pong balls. >> reporter: this was 13-year-

nebraska. and democrats heidi white camp of north dakota and tim kaine of virginia as well as independent angus king of maine. you can find those interviews on our web site. approach to teaching that's >> ifill: now, a different approach to teaching that's catching on in some schools. it's less focused on testing per se and more on making sure that students are picking up skills they can apply in the real world. special correspondent john tulenko from our colleagues at the learning matters team has the story. >> reporter: for a dozen years education policymakers bet more testing and more accountability would mean more learning. but the gains have been modest at best and achievement gaps persist. and then there's everything that's not on the tests-- like creativity, responsibility and self-motivation. leaders in business and academia say not enough is being done to develop these vital traits. one possible solution? give students ways to apply their learning to bigger things than taking tests. >> we're building robots that are made to collect resources which are ping-pong balls. >> reporter: this was 13-year-o