In most cases, the enthusiasm for the electoral college seems to be directly related to whether or not one's candidate wins or loses because of it.

In 2000, when the popular vote went one way and the electoral vote went the other, the electoral college was considered by Democrats to be an abomination from hell.

In 2004, when the popular vote was quite decisive, suddenly there was a completely different view of the electoral college and votes in places like Ohio.

Like Art, I have no problem at all with states allotting their votes by proportion of the popular vote, but this should probably be decided at the state level, not the federal level.

The election process works pretty well, and only becomes controversial only when the races are close.

Now, if you want to talk the primary process...

Next year is going to be a zoo. The system is rapidly approaching a point where instead of a long, deliberative process of picking candidates, it's more like American Idol and the toss of a coin.