Los Angeles Times (2/8): GOP Fears a Redistricting Backfire

[Jack Rabbit]

From the Los Angeles Times
Dated Tuesday February 8

GOP Fears a Redistricting Backfire
Schwarzenegger plan is seen as jeopardizing control of Congress
By Peter Nicholas, Times Staff Writer

SACRAMENTO — Worried about losing clout in Congress, influential Republicans in Washington are telling Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that he should drop his effort to redraw congressional voting districts in time for next year's elections and limit his focus to reshaping the state Legislature.

National Republican Party leaders — even Schwarzenegger's closest ally in the congressional delegation, U.S. Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas) — are pressing the governor to exempt Congress from his map-making.

The fear is that tinkering with the California congressional boundaries could jeopardize Republican control of the U.S. House. By some estimates, the state's 20-person GOP congressional delegation opposes the governor's effort 4 to 1.

The Republican backlash underscores a reality of redistricting: What's most important to incumbents is ensuring their own survival. Even with California Republicans confined to minority status in both the legislative and congressional delegations, many members would rather keep the existing lines than gamble on a plan that could plunk them in unfriendly districts where they would have trouble getting reelected.

Read more.

[Cha]

1. So what is arnie thinking?

I'm so sick of the repugnants dabbling in devious schemes to control the future.

[fooj]

2. Yes indeedy! I live in California and I'd love nothing better

than to bump a few of those assholes! We've had just about enough!

[kineneb]

3. well, duhhh!

Arnie is beginning to show his true colors and loyalty to the party line. And now he will learn more about CA politics than he probably wanted to. What a dork.

[Xithras]

4. This is why the Repugs agreed to the current gerrymander in the first plac

In 1991 the Repuglicans in California were on the verge of losing some of their congressional seats and assembly seats in several districts. At the same time, the Democrats were tiring of constantly fighting for a handful of ultra-competetive districts.

The agreement they reached was this: The state would be horribly gerrymandered to make the Democratic districts "safe" and give the Dems a permanent majority, but preserved some seats for the Republicans if they accepted eternal minority status.

If redistricting goes through, both parties will gain some seats and lose others. Still, if it goes to proposition, I'll vote for it...gerrymandering undermines the entire concept of democratic government and is shameful to see in a state as progressive as California. I screamed back when these districts were drawn, I've groused about our "fixed" districts for years (I live in one), and as much as I dislike the Gropenator, I'll be glad to see the current system go.

How's that old saying go? Even a stopped clock is right twice a day? That's pretty much how I feel about Arnolds position on redistricting.