California redistricting could imperil GOP House seats

AP via CoCo Times ^ | 6/28/11 | KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press

[SmithL]

WASHINGTON -- Democrats hoping to regain the majority in the House in 2012 might get a strong head start in California, where voters have handed the authority for drawing political boundaries to an independent citizens' commission.

Analysts studying the panel's work are predicting that three to five seats now in Republican hands will move into the Democratic camp in next year's general election. Such a swing could give Democrats an edge toward the magic number 24 -- the number of GOP-held seats they'll need to win if they are to regain the House majority.

Republicans account for roughly 31 percent of California's voters and 36 percent of its congressional delegation -- at 53 members, the nation's largest. Democrats comprise 44 percent of the state's voters and 62 percent of its congressional delegation. One vacancy in a Democratic-leaning district will be filled after a special election in July.

[ronnie raygun]

Have to keep the criminal enterprise in power

[Arrowhead1952]

And in states with large Dem House delegations, e.g. New York, they are losing seats, and states like Texas are gaining seats.

I haven't seen the Texas redistricting map, but LULAC, NAALCP, lord dog nuts and Donna Howard don't like it one bit. I think clown sheila jackson lee is probably safe, but dog nuts may be out.

[truthkeeper]

You’ve got to be kidding. California doesn’t hold a candle to Illinois in that regard.

[Buckeye McFrog]

although the California Legislature leans so heavily Democrat I doubt the outcome would be any different if they drew the lines.

[bilhosty]

California is in the process of imploding now we will see what the political atmosphee is like in California after this happens. Barone thinks theat the GOP may actually pick up the Harmon seat in the special election. We may somehow save California by letting it destroy itself.

[Nextrush]

On paper, it looks good for the GOP but the pre-Gleason bosses messed up the 2000 redraw plan pretty good.

The Dems did OK inspite of it.

Maybe Gleason got it right as far as party goes this time.

A non-Gleason GOP candidate (Keith Rothfus) came up 1.6 percent short of beating Dem Jason Altmire in the 4th District last year.

The redraw of the 4th will be tested again since Rothfus intends to contest the 4th again in 2012.

[Little Ray]

Not really. We would (I hope) do the same to Democrat seats if we were in charge of the PRK’s legislature. I hope we do the same to them in states where we have control.

[newzjunkey]

I assume “PRK” is “People’s Republic of Kalifornia” and since you’re in Georgia I’ll tell you redistricting here in being handled by a new, supposed “nonpartisan”, commission created by voters and not the legislature.

[deport]

Don't forget the Voting Rights Act and the necessary approvals that must be secured from the US Attorney General.

[deport]

Select Base Plan and then Plan C125

Take a look at the proposed District #36 for some good gerrymandering. I believe Plan C125 was the plan that the legislature adopted.

[Little Ray]

That's a pity.
We should have used opportunity to squeeze the maximum number of Liberal and Commies out of their districts. However, given that any “nonpartisan” commission will inevitably be dominated by Liberals, it will probably be bad for the Pubbies.

[Arrowhead1952]

I just hope Doggett gets walking papers in 2012. I heard some sound bites of his the other day, and wanted to slap my radio. The liberalism just gushes from his mouth.

[Michael.SF.]

I agree with you.

As long as the districts are compact and logical we will have to let the chips fall where they may. I for one am going to loose George Miller as my congressman, so that is good from my perspective!