Why national polls mean little and why three states may determine the election's outcome.

We have an electoral college because we are a representative democracy centered in federalism (a state/state structure rather than a national structure to the exclusion of the influence of the individual states).

As a result,  the Founders gave us an "electoral college" and, in so doing,  gave electoral power to the individual states.  Besides "electoral power," our legislative process begins with the election of senators and congressmen (House of Representatives) from each and every state.  Everything in terms of the political decision making process,  is based upon the existence of the state as provided for in our Constitution and debated in our "Federalist papers."  When you read the word "federalist,"  you have a reference to the organization of the several states;  we are the United States of America rather than simply "America."

Without the electoral college, seven population centers could,  someday in the very near future, determine the course of the nation:  California, Texas,  New York, Florida, Pennsylvania,  Illinois and Ohio,  in that order,  Six of the seven, have typically voted "Democrat" over the past four national elections,  Texas being the exception.

Fairness has nothing to do with it.  In this case.  process is everything because the process is a systemic aspect of our foundational history.  Democrats typically whine about the electoral college on every occasion of a national loss.  Expect that to be the case this year,  if, in fact,  Obama loses the electoral vote while winning the popular vote.  

Today,  with this report (here at Midknight Review),  Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania are [very much] in play for the GOP and Mitt Romney.  If the GOP can secure these electoral votes,  71 for the three states,  this swing of 142 votes would give the election to Romney.  I am saying that if all else remains the same as to the 2008 results,  these three states could change the outcome for the GOP.

Understand that Obama's attack on those who cling to their guns and religion was an insult directed against the blue collar middle class of Pennsylvania.  Ohio has a huge footprint in the coal industry and Florida has its senior population.  This election will be more about these three states and their societal bias,  than any of the remaining 47 states.