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Old October 17, 2000, 01:04 PM
Steven W. Johnson
 
Posts: n/a
Default Can anyone tell me WHY we have a party system???

If you are not a student of American History, the answer is probably, "No".

The Constitution is written so the two highest vote getters within the Electorical College become President and Vice President respectively.

But, back in 1799 Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr deadlocked with the same number of electorical college votes.

The election was thrown to the House of Representatives where Thomas Jefferson came out on top and Aaron Burr became VP.

Congress immediately passed a LAW, not an amendment to the Constitution, that, henceforth, all President and Vice Presidental candidates would come from the same party.

And, yes, this Aaron Burr is the same one that killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel while still VP.