Democrat Van de Putte Blasts Redistricting in National Radio Address

Lubbock, TX, Avalanche-Journal ^ | 09-21-03 | AP

[Theodore R.]

Democrats blast redistricting in national radio address Associated Press

AUSTIN (AP) — Democrats used their national radio address Saturday to accuse congressional Republicans of trying to steal votes in Texas and called on President Bush to put a halt to congressional redistricting efforts in his home state.

State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio accused the GOP of using recount, recall and redistricting efforts in Texas and nationwide in a "new playbook for a narrow Republican majority attempting to use government to expand partisan power."

She called the effort to redraw congressional voting districts an attack on minority and rural voters.

"This is bigger than Texas," Van de Putte said in the broadcast. "It's part of a national pattern that threatens to make a mockery of our precious democracy — where the powerful change the rules when the people get in the way."

The Texas Legislature has been battling over redistricting efforts spearheaded by Republicans. The GOP controls both the state House and Senate and wants to end the Democrats' 17-15 majority hold on the state's congressional delegation.

Republicans believe that winning more House seats will bolster the president's support in Washington. The current congressional voting districts were written by a three-judge federal panel in 2001.

Texas Democrats have twice fled the state to block votes on the issue but the boycott failed earlier this month when one senator broke ranks to return to Texas.

The House has already passed a map with new voting districts and the Senate is expected to approve its version next week.

The two chambers would then negotiate the differences.

Van de Putte's address repeated Democratic complaints that U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, and Bush's chief strategist, Karl Rove, have influenced the redistricting fight.

Earlier in the week, Bush called Texas redistricting a state issue that should be handled by state leaders.

"I get blamed for a lot of things," he said.

Van de Putte, who said the country has other concerns such as education, health care and the economy, called on Bush to contact Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican, to end the redistricting effort.

Perry so far has called three special sessions to draw up new maps.

"The president cannot claim he wants to win our hearts while the White House signals it's OK to steal our votes," Van de Putte contended.

[Theodore R.]

Van de Putte is in a staunchly Democrat district and is assured of public office for as long as she wants to hold office. She is a true believer in "democracy."

[deport]

I'd say you have your work cut out for you if'n you think she'd be easily defeated. She didn't even have any competion in 02.....

2002 GENERAL ELECTION ------DISTRICT 26 ------ ------STATE------
                      TOTAL   PERCENT   PERCENT
 STATE SENATOR 26
      VandePutte - D 74,146    100.0%    100.0%

[solo gringo]

Who's democracy???????

[Gringo1]

Democrats wouldn't like 'Democracy" if we lived in one.

Democracy = majority rules.Hence, most Democratic programs would never stand a chance.

[Theodore R.]

I don't know, Gringo1. People in ND and SD continue to vote for Democrat senators who bring them farm subsidies and other such "goodies." People may like these program more than you think they do, particularly if they are receiving benefits from them.

[Gringo1]

On a small scale yes, but if you had to put everything to a national vote?....no way.