If Kerry won Ohio but lost the NPV, would we still have an Electoral College?

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

If we had a Democrat lose an election with a NPV plurality, followed by a Republican losing an election with a NPV majority, would there be a bipartisan effort to abolish the Electoral College?

[DPKdebator]

The issue would be less partisan but I doubt we'd be much different from where we are on the issue today.

[Former President tack50]

A more interesting what-if IMO is this (using similar nominees as otl):

2000: Gore wins PV, Bush wins election (as otl)
2004: Bush wins PV, Kerry wins election (flips OH)
2008: McCain wins PV and election
2012: McCain wins PV, Obama wins election (like otl but in a close election)
2016: Obama wins PV, Trump wins election (as otl)

After 4 of the last 5 elections ending in a PV/EC split, with neither benefiting either party, would things change?

[McGarnagle]

The moment a Democrat wins the EC but loses the PV, you will see a surge of interest among Republicans in switching to national popular vote.

[NHI]

The moment a Democrat wins the EC but loses the PV, you will see a surge of interest among Republicans in switching to national popular vote.

[Mister Mets]

The moment a Democrat wins the EC but loses the PV, you will see a surge of interest among Republicans in switching to national popular vote.

There will still be some institutional questions, as states have different policies about requirements for voting.

So that would be a major sticking point if higher turnout in California will end up making a major difference.