A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics
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A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics | |
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March 20, 2004Doggett vs. DeLay redistrictingI've let an argument over old stuff distract me from a fun bit of localblogging: the first half of a possible victory over Tom DeLay. Lloyd Doggett, US House Rep (D) Austin won a primary victory that DeLay didn't think would happen (numbers here). The new redistricting scheme was supposed to keep him out of office. Lloyd Doggett was one of those targeted for removal by Tom DeLay. Now, Doggett certainly wasn't the only (D) targeted, but DeLay went over a certain kind of cliff to get him. Other, more moderate and reasonable plans, that didn't include gitting Doggett, were advanced. If DeLay had lived with them, it's quite possible that the GOP could've passed the plan without annoying Texas centrists and setting aside a Texas Senate rule that makes it almost impossible to pass things without a 2/3 majority. Not to mention pissing off a ton of obviously unreasonably redistricted Texan voters. As a Democrat, I'm also pleased by another fact: the memory of the redistricting outrage isn't fading, and it's not just remembered by Austin. I believe that the Texas Republicans will pay the price in November for not showing restraint when Tom DeLay came to tempt them. Of course, some Republicans did show restraint, notably Bill Ratliff, who, to his honor, even decided not to run again because of this issue, but obviously, not enough to stop it. They will lose their alliance with Texas centrists that has held since Bush was elected Governor here. Ever since Bush came to power, the Texas GOP has largely given the adult governance that you hope for from Republicans. It even held for two years after Bush left, enough for Perry to be confirmed in his governorship. Now it may well be over.If it is, I'll be sure to hoist a cold one to Tom! Much as I've found moveon.org vexing since 2000, they've been a great help throughout this by providing money for the out-of-state legislators blocking a quorum, for lawsuits, for Doggett to run a big campaign keeping redistricting front and center in his district. They've also provided some exposure, though that's mostly come by itself. 'preciate it!
Watching a movie on local politics at
SXSW reminded me to finish this
posting, which I've been nursing for a week. I recommend the movie,
Last Man Standing, which nicely captures Texas politics.
Maybe what's best about it is how it captures Texas retail politics.
Y'all can see it at 10:00 PM on July 20, on
POV on most PBS stations. Of
course, I may be biased - my wife cast a vote in the Texas Legislature
race shown, and I've spent plenty of time there myself. The Lege seat
mentioned was chosen because it was LBJ's old seat (not only has it
moved a bit, but it's gone from being decidedly rural to edges of
Austin suburban).
Posted by Jon Kay at March 20, 2004 04:17 AM
Comments
This is great news... and not just for Democrats. Gerrymandering (by both parties) has got to be one of the most eggregious abuses of power I can think of, serving no purpose but to entrench those who already hold power and encouraging the election of extremist candidates... and it's all (probably) legal. I love to see it when those who thought they were subverting the process end up on the receiving end of an appropriate backlash in voter sentiment. It (almost) makes me think the process really does work sometimes. Posted by: Jeremy at March 20, 2004 07:58 AMGood news overcoming the Gerrymandering tactics The Third Way must grow, develop, and network. Move on is bothersome--in several ways. Also, it is financed by that Soros. (Entire discussions could take place about why that member of the Carlyle group should be scorned and what he and his ilk did internationally.) Dean is keeping his organization, which means according to his figures @700,000 of his followers organized and money out there. The Third Way must grow, develop, and network. In my view, Ultrapartisan politics should have been declared a form of insanity years ago. Janus
What Jeremy said. In many ways there's really only one party in American politics, the Incumbent Party. Posted by: Tully at March 20, 2004 06:25 PMTo clarify briefly, Jon, do not consider your role in business as included in the paper professionals comment. Janus Posted by: Janus at March 21, 2004 04:43 PMBoo on gerrmandering...unless of course, it was a Democratic Party gerrymander. Then it's sacred.
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