re: I'm really surprised that Hillary winning popular vote isn't a bigger thing

It's hard to make the argument that she was more popular nationwide when they throw a map up on the screen that shows an entirely red nation minus the east and west coasts and big metropolitan areas.

Hmm... perhaps that's why the electoral system, although quirky, is more likely to choose a candidate more representative of the ENTIRE country's opinion, rather than just the opinions of those in populous states and urban areas.