Not sure what you're trying to say here.

But the simpleton take regarding the Electoral College is that it shouldn't exist, and the popular vote winner should take the Presidency.

That simplistic view is for those who don't understand the history of the US, and the entire concept of separate state governments making up the nation. Our electoral system is in place to ensure that small states get a say in the Presidential election. Otherwise they could be ignored and all campaigning would just center around the population centers.