Beware Ohio Jon Husted is not done with you yet

[Heather MC]

http://www.politicususa.com/jon-husted-hatches-plan-democrats-win-ohio.html

Now that Barack Obama is the official and non-recountable winner in Scott-land, let’s fast-forward to the next bundle of mischief the Republicans are going to unleash on citizen innocents from here to the mid-terms. Like a jumping bean on Meth, far-right dirty tricksters are incapable of taking a break from their treachery of cutting Democrats off at the knees.

The red states are going to be the busiest of little bees (jumping beans?) in the continued creation of their latest political depravity. Here’s one tactic that is a favorite of Ohio’s radical right Secretary of State, Jon Husted, arguably the most partisan state politician in the nation.

This is Jon’s proposal as forwarded to me by an Ohio Professor-Emeritus friend of mine. A little background (spoiler alert: this could be a tad boring). Redistricting takes place every 10 years, right after the Census. The object is to make the population of each district roughly the same, but it’s really little more than establishing political advantage for the party in power. Most legislatures are the majordomos in the process, though they pretend to listen to input from others. The aforementioned Professor and I were both on an Ohio state commission (called a Politician Commission) for 2000 census redistricting. He had a brilliant and extremely fair apportionment idea that I, alone, supported.

As I’ve already explained, the party in power draws up the districts through states and/or commissions to favor their continued power to the greatest extent possible. Back to Husted. Here’s what Jon wants to do as tracked by the Daily Kos Meteor Blades from its origins at Plunderbund, a blog self-described as focusing on Ohio and national politics.

According to the above sources, and I’m quoting here, “The winner of each congressional district is awarded the districts electoral vote.” End quote.

So, what’s the big deal? Well, 48 of our states follow the winner-take-all model. In other words, if you win the state’s popular vote, you win the state’s electoral votes. You’ll recall from an earlier submission, electoral votes are 2 automatic votes representing the number of Senators in Congress from the state (the same for each state) added to the number of House Congressional Representatives. Slicing up Florida’s Electoral votes for instance; 27 House members + 2 Senators = 29 Electoral votes.

[ChoppinBroccoli]

1. Well, I've Got News For Jon Husted

Ohio isn't done with YOU yet. YOUR name is on the ballot in 2014, and the LAST Ohio Secretary of State involved in Right-Wing shenanigans still has a bruise on his ass in the shape of Jennifer Brunner's foot. You and K-Suck both better start updating your resumes.

[HooptieWagon]

2. Using your Florida example...

Romney would have gotten about 20 EVs, to Obama's 9, despite Obama carrying the popular vote in Florida, because if the CD gerrymandering.
This is quite simply a ridiculous proposal, since for all practical purposes it automatically gives the WH to whichever party controls Congress. Although States can determine how to elect their electors, I don't think the proposal passes Constitutional muster and would possibly be struck down by the Courts. Plus, Dems would fight like hell against it.