New map targets Anglo Democrats

[Nottingham]

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2138196

New map targets Anglo Democrats
GOP's lawyers raise concerns
By R.G. RATCLIFFE
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN -- As House and Senate negotiators continued struggling Saturday to reach an agreement on a new congressional redistricting map, Sen. Rodney Ellis accused Republicans of trying to "marginalize" the Democratic Party in the eyes of white voters.

Redistricting negotiators, all Republicans, are concentrating on developing a map that would eliminate most, if not all, of the Anglo Democrats representing Texas in the U.S. House.

"What they're trying to do ... is marginalize the Democratic Party so the only elected officials left in it would be African-American and Hispanic," said Ellis, D-Houston.

Sen. Todd Staples, R-Palestine, head of the Senate negotiators, called Ellis' accusations "continued spin by those who wish to hang onto artificial partisan gains
more...

Thought this was an interesting take on the Redistricting Map!

[jiacinto]

1. Of course that's part of it

They want the Democrats to be perceived as the "black" party.

[Jack Rabbit]

2. There should be no new map

Texas has a map that is a perfectly good one. The only problem with it is that Tom DeLay thinks there are not enough Republican districts.

[Ediacara]

3. "continued spin by those who wish to hang onto artificial partisan gains"

Oh you mean like those gains made by redrawing the map?

WTF!

[w4rma]

4. "… take Texas Democrats out of the Super Tuesday multistate primary …"

…
Staples said the conference committee is working against a deadline of midnight Monday. He said if a bill is not passed by that time, the 2004 primaries will have to be moved from March 2 to March 9.

While that would have little effect on Republicans, it would take Texas Democrats out of the Super Tuesday multistate primary that could determine the Democratic presidential nominee.

[lovedems]

5. Can somebody please tell me how they are legally allowed to do this?

I thought redistricting was common after the census. Considering it has been years since the last census, how can they do this?????? Is it simply because the rethuglicans are in control in Texas? I really don't know why something like this wasn't stopped in court. Please explain!!!!!!!

[C_eh_N_eh_D_eh]

6. That's all it is.

The Republicans control Texas, and there's nothing to stop them from getting what they want.

The official story is that the new districting more accurately reflects the the voters' political preferences. Everyone with half a brain know this is just a bullshit excuse, and that the only point of this whole thing is to marginalize poor and minority voters and give the GOP more seats in Congress. It seems the vocal majority in Texas (a) don't have a problem with that, and/or (b) have less than half a brain.

The state supreme court could (and should) put a stop to this, but they're in on the deal.

It's stuff like this that makes me glad I'm a Canadian. These people make Stockwell Day look good.

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. And Repugs are trying to get their way in Colorado

Same story, different state

Redistricting map gets no latitude from federal judge
Weinshienk delays GOP plan pending high-court ruling

By John J. Sanko, Rocky Mountain News
September 30, 2003

A federal judge has put a temporary hold on a U.S. District Court fight over Colorado's new Republican-drawn congressional redistricting map.

U.S. District Judge Zita Weinshienk signed an order delaying action until the Colorado Supreme Court issues a ruling in a separate case challenging the GOP plan.

<snip>
And that map, he said, was drafted last year by a Denver court and upheld by the Colorado Supreme Court when the legislature - with Democrats controlling the Senate and Republicans leading the House - could not reach a compromise.

Republicans won control of both houses last November and drew a new map that was signed into law by Gov. Bill Owens.

more...
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/state/article/0,1299,DRMN_21_2309044,00.html

[NewJerseyDem]

8. The last plan was court ordered

I believe that the republicans are using the excuse that the last redistricting plan was put in by a court after the legislature couldn't reach a plan. So, I think that the courts agree and claim that the legislature can still pass a new plan since they didn't have an oppurtunity to do so after the 2000 census. That is at least how I understand it.

I still don't think that they should be able to pass a new plan though. The constitutional logic on the part of the republicans seems shaky at best.

[lovedems]

9. Thanks for all your help

What a crazy mess. Rethuglicans are never happy with what they've got. It's always gotta be more, more, more. Greedy SOB's!!!!!!!!!

[Whoa_Nelly]

10. What's interesting

is that when all this started in CO, it was argued that there is a statute, based on census collection dates, that redistricting can only occur every ten years, and that the previous district lines were redrawn less than four years ago. Apparently, state laws have little meaning for the rethugs. I sure hope 2004 is the year for payback being a bitch. :evilgrin:

[lovedems]

11. That is what I kept thinking

How can they just do this on a whim and why isn't there a judge demanding that voters voices not be silenced. If 2004 isn't payback, it will be confirmed, we are a nation under the control of idiots. The stupidity is getting unbearable!

[Whoa_Nelly]

12. Welcome

to DU, lovedems! :hi:

[Nottingham]

13. I agree Love Dems and think How Democratic this country

would have been if Democrats use these tactics. Republicans wouldn't have a party. I can see that soon this nation will have only ONE Party! :bounce: