Schwarzenegger redistricting plan hits politicians where it hurts

sacbee ^ | 2-13-05

[LouAvul]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Taking on "special interests" sounds good to most politicians - except when they're the special interest.

That's why Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to relieve lawmakers of the job of drawing their own political district lines is running into opposition from - who else - lawmakers.

The governor's plan would assign the task to a panel of retired judges. It's especially troubling to U.S. House members from his own Republican Party, some of whom fear that recasting congressional districts in Democrat-leaning California could cost the GOP seats. Republicans outnumber Democrats in the House 232-201 (there's one independent and one vacancy, in the Democrat-leaning Sacramento district left open by the death of Rep. Robert Matsui and expected to be filled by his wife, Doris).

But the GOP majority hardly seems safe to Republicans who remember that Democrats ruled the House by a lopsided 256-178 margin before Republicans retook control in 1994.

"From a realistic standpoint, it looks like we can lose more than we gain," Marysville Republican Rep. Wally Herger said recently of Schwarzenegger's plan. "That's what everybody looks at."

[CAluvdubya]

I don't think I hold a popular view but this was my concern when I first heard Arnold talking about redistricting. We don't need to lose any more seats. Think about the political persuasion of the retired judges from California!

[Phocion]

Shameful gerrymandering is one of the biggest threats to democracy on both the state and federal levels. As Reagan said, gerrymandering is "the greatest single blot on the integrity of our nation's electoral system." Politicians would redraw the states if they could. Because it protects incumbants, the problem is almost impossible to fix. Ultimately, there needs to be a constitutional fix that is not easily undone. The short-term losses or gains by one party or another are a small price to pay for a functioning democratic republic. I'm interested in politicians who are willing to risk their own necks for the good of the citizens; unfortunately they are few and far between.

[fredo1070]

Well said...I agree...something needs to be done to create races that are actually competitive. I can't remember but I saw a statistic that said something like only 5 or 10% of the congressional races were even close. This is a disgrace.

[NormsRevenge]

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