Former US president wades into national conflict over House maps, as Texas lawmakers approve map to favor GOP
Barack Obama waded into states’ efforts at rare mid-decade redistricting efforts, saying he agreed with California governor Gavin Newsom’s plan to counter the new Texas congressional map by launching an effort to redraw his own state’s map and create more Democratic-friendly districts, calling it “a responsible approach”.
“I believe that governor Newsom’s approach is a responsible approach. He said this is going to be responsible. We’re not going to try to completely maximize it,” Obama said at a Tuesday fundraiser on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. “We’re only going to do it if and when Texas and/or other Republican states begin to pull these maneuvers. Otherwise, this doesn’t go into effect.”
Obama also called Newsom’s strategy “measured”, as it only temporarily grants the California legislature the ability to redraw maps mid-decade.
There’s nothing responsible about it. That would be fixing the system so it’s not even a viable strategy in the first place.
This is just dealing with the fact that the system sucks ass.
Abolish Single Member Districts.
Proportional Representation for all.
I agree. If people want to argue for more control, then argue to put more money into localities hands… Although beware those slimy selectmen and city managers.
Fight fire with fire approach. Taking the high road will not get us anywhere right now. The GOP will never fight fair.
This isn’t that.
Fire with fire would be going all out. It’d give Dems the chance to get ahead and for this to backfire on Republicans.
Instead, there are no losses for Abbot here. Texas is certainly going to try. And they’ll either get away with it or it’ll even out. If we’re lucky it’ll even out.
It’s like gambling with house money.
This is the rachet effect on display. It’s not intentional. Newsom is worried if they go all out that voters won’t approve the measure.
I’m surprised they didn’t go for a measure which aims to give back worse than they got, but still with a defined quantity. For example “The number of seats the Republicans are likely to gain, plus 2”, or “plus 30%” or whatever.
They’re always worried about how Fox News will portray it.
The difference between N and N+2 should be minimal, as opposed to “as much as we can get”.
Newsom is worried if they go all out that voters won’t approve the measure.
He’s probably right.
If there truly is a blue wave due to trump, then tbh the Texas gerrymandering could backfire incredibly hard. Then we would certainly have abbot lose.
Makes sense, rules for everyone or rules for no one.
