A three-judge federal panel -- two Republicans and a Democrat -- drew the current map in 2001
Do you have any idea where they are getting that info? I think Carter, Clinton, and Reagan appointed one each. I guess that doesn't make them democrat or republican though.
I see it repeated occasionally, and I doubt it's true. While Reagan may have had to appoint a Democrat, Clinton and Carter certainly wouldn't have appointed Republicans.
I think it's a case of reporters repeating "facts" without checking them.
Remember, the Democrats fought to get the Texarkana venue to hear that case. They did it because they knew it was friendly to them.