>>>It's useful in looking at the state of the electorate from one angle, but otherwise meaningless.
>
>Campaigning and voting would be very different if it were a national ballot. For example: under the electoral college system, CA Republicans might as well not vote for president because CA is overwhelmingly Democrat.

Is it?
They elected Earl Warren and The Gipper, recalled Gray Davis and elected the Gropinator.
That state is about as predictable as a slot in Las Vegas.
Jerry Brown, the current governor, whom I love, typifies the CA Weltschmerz - you can't put your finger on it, but you know it makes sense to you.
Son of Pat Brown, a successful machine Democrat, he tried being a Jesuit priest (like the current Pope) but gave that up for a career in politics.
When he took office from Schwartzy, the state was almost bankrupt.
It's thriving now.
His secret? - Oil the machine, but never forget what the Jesuits taught you.
If Jerry leaves the scene, anything can happen.