Remap bolsters GOP power play

[Judi Lynn]

Jan. 10, 2004, 7:11PM

Remap bolsters GOP power play
Plan adds numbers and clout while blocking off Dem comeback
By R.G. RATCLIFFE
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau


AUSTIN -- The Republican redistricting victory is about more than gaining a few additional congressional seats -- it's about consolidating GOP power and building roadblocks to a Democratic comeback.

A three-judge federal court last week approved a new congressional districts map that will erase the Democratic edge in Texas' U.S. House delegation and replace it with a likely 22-10 Republican majority after this year's elections.

That partisan shift will mark the pinnacle of the Republicans' 30-year march to dominance in Texas politics, a trek that gained dramatic momentum in the past decade.

When U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land, was a member of the Texas House in 1983, Republicans held just one statewide office. And district boundaries denied the GOP anything other than a meager hold in seats in the Legislature and congressional delegation. (snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2345684

[Flubadubya]

1. The 'party's' over?

x(

[izzie]

2. I hate to see this but Dem also did it. Blowback?

One party power is never very good

[lovedems]

3. All hope is not yet lost

There was an article in our local newspaper this morning that hinted when this got to the supreme court, it might not stand. It mentioned that the federal court that ok'd this measure mentioned that this was very politically motivated and that Sandra Day O'Connor, typically a swing voter in partisan rulings, would vote against it therefor deeming it unconstitutional. It won't happen in time for the 2004 election but better late then never, I say.

[Wapsie B]

4. That's proof enough for me.

The repugs are scared sh**less about what they see in the future. They want to rig the system in their favor for as long as they can. Now all they need is to pass laws stating that konservative fundies must have 10 kids each.