Redistricting Does GOP No Favors

[babylonsister]

Living in DeLay's (former) district, this just warms the cockles of my heart!

Redistricting Does GOP No Favors
Democrats Have Gained 52 House Seats Nationwide Since 2002 Reapportionment

by Richard E. Cohen

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008


Since the 2002 results of new redistricting lines in most states, House Republicans have lost 52 seats. Losses are spread across the nation, though they come disproportionately in the Northeast, where Republicans are down 20 seats. They lost 15 in the Midwest, 11 in the West, and six in the South.

In nine states, Democrats have picked up at least three seats since 2003. Leading the pack are New York (7-seat gain) and Pennsylvania (5-seat gain). Democrats have gained three seats in each of these states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Ohio and Virginia. Arizona, Colorado and Connecticut are especially notable because each has a House delegation of eight seats or fewer.

Democrats have lost seats in two states since 2003. Their biggest setback (5-seat loss) has been in Texas, chiefly as a result of the controversial 2004 redistricting spearheaded by then-House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. They are down one in Louisiana, pending the outcome of that state's Dec. 6 runoffs.

With another round of redistricting scheduled to start in 2011 following the 2010 census, both parties have begun intensive review of possible new lines plus the broader reapportionment that will shift seats from some states to others because of population changes. The election results since 2002 offer a reminder that House district lines that initially seemed favorable to one party can become less predictable in the midst of broader political changes or the appeal of individual candidates.

more...

http://www.nationaljournal.com/election2008/el_20081120_7633.php

[SoCalDem]

1. What republicans forgot

PEOPLE MOVE :rofl:

and largely due to the republican mismanagement of the economy ..a two-fer :)

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. pardon, me but I disagree.

Yeah, people move, but this was not a massive migration from red to blue, but rather, a change in perception and a realization that when the GOP talks about spreading the wealth, they meant, spreading ours among themselves.

[SoCalDem]

4. change in perception is nice.and I agree with your assessment

:hi:

[Avalux]

2. Thanks for posting this. DeLay thought he was such a smartie. NOT.

:hi:

[babylonsister]

5. I know! It does a heart good!

:fistbump:

[gratuitous]

6. Something to keep in mind

When Republicans talk about making tax cuts (or anything) "permanent." In politics, nothing is permanent, and the forced gerrymandering in off years by the Republicans will, I hope very much, come back and bite them in the behind. Hard. In fact, another round of redistricting might just be in order in 2009 in anticipation of the 2010 census. Oh, how the GOP would howl!

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

7. The next round of redistricting is going to gut the Pukes

the way Palin cleans a moose, at least in blue and purple states.

[Coexist]

8. I really wish they would redistrict 5 here in Florida.

[Canuckistanian]

9. Gerrymandering is a stupid idea in the 21st century

With rapidly shifting demographics, populations, wealth and ethnicity, what was once a safe bet is only good for a few years.

I hope Tom Delay is enjoying his new government.