MSNBC's Chris Hayes unleashes on conservatives over alleged 'simple truth' about Electoral College

MSNBC host Chris Hayes lashed out at conservatives Saturday after he was sharply criticized over his recent commentary about the Electoral College.

What did Hayes say?

Hayes claimed that modern conservatism is a "deeply paranoid and pessimistic" movement that is "retreating behind counter-majoritarian institutions." He said modern conservatives desire to "uphold minority rule."

What led to Hayes' comments?

On his MSNBC show Friday, Hayes attempted to make the case that the Electoral College — the system established by the Founding Fathers to elect the president — is undemocratic.

"The weirdest thing about the electoral college is the fact that if it wasn't specifically in the Constitution for the presidency, it would be unconstitutional," Hayes said.

Hayes' point was this: Beginning in the 1960s, the Supreme Court "started developing a jurisprudence of 'one person, one vote'" to ensure equal civil rights for white and black Americans. But the Electoral College undermines this equality because each individual vote does not carry equal weight.

Such a system can be racially exploited, Hayes charged, providing an example of a majority black city being governed by a majority white city council.

Hayes was heavily mocked in response.

Critics argued the Electoral College is not unconstitutional because it is constitutionally-mandated. Further, Hayes was reminded that America is a republic — not a democracy whose leaders are elected directly by the people — an intentional design mechanism to ensure somewhat equal representation for each state.