How redistricting could keep the House red for a decade
Before the election, I highlighted a report arguing that Republican control of state legislatures would end up earning them about 11 seats because of redistricting. The fact that the House total barely budged in a very good year for Democrats nationally — and in which House Democrats won the popular vote — suggests that this probably played a role.
This is especially clear if you take a look at the share of House seats won by Democrats in states where Republican-controlled legislatures redistricted in 2011 and 2012, and compare that to the share of the vote President Obama won. …
This isn’t as true for Democratic-controlled redistricting, and not just because Democrats ran redistricting in only six states. Democrats are just worse at gerrymandering when they get the chance. While Democrats outperformed their presidential vote in House races in Rhode Island, Maryland, Massachusetts and Illinois, they underperformed in Arkansas and West Virginia.
Blowback
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Not to rain on the parade, but if they aren’t going to resist the Dems, what difference does it make?
Washington Nearsider on November 9, 2012 at 7:14 AM
The house will be our firewall nationally.
The 10th amendment needs to be the method by which conservatives and libertarians re-establish our constitutional republic. With a national electorate that wants their free stuff this is the only way.
http://www.tenthamendmentcenter.com/
Meat Fighter on November 9, 2012 at 7:17 AM
That’s great… and meaningless, since we’re never going to win a national election again.
Illinidiva on November 9, 2012 at 7:22 AM
Speaker John Boehner: ‘We’re ready to be led’ is going to be the firewall?
sharrukin on November 9, 2012 at 7:24 AM
Doesn’t matter…Democrats now rule by executive order.
AUINSC on November 9, 2012 at 7:31 AM
So the GOP only controls the House because of cheating? Hope you’re proud.
libfreeordie on November 9, 2012 at 7:45 AM
Reading Drudge this morning, sounds like McConnell is digging in against tax hikes. We really have nothing to lose anymore, so we might as well make them negotiate on our terms.
The Count on November 9, 2012 at 7:47 AM
Look up the history of gerrymandering, moron. You guys invented it.
The Count on November 9, 2012 at 7:48 AM
No reason to show any kindness to the enemy.
sharrukin on November 9, 2012 at 7:50 AM
Yeah, that seems about obvious at this point. The exit polling showed the breakdown in House votes almost identical to the presidential race – 50% voted for the democrats and 48% voted for republicans, and yet the GOP maintains a sizable majority.
deadrody on November 9, 2012 at 7:53 AM
By ‘cheating,’ of course, you mean ‘operating completely within the bounds of the Constitution.’ At least according to Democrats.
I’ll direct you to Article 1, Section 4, which states that the times, places and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof. So it was the states that were given the authority to decide how those representatives would be elected.
I know that whole Constitution thing is strange for a liberal…
Washington Nearsider on November 9, 2012 at 7:53 AM
and the seventeenth amendment will keep the senate blue until the country collapses. so there’s that.
Lost in Jersey on November 9, 2012 at 8:09 AM
So the GOP only controls the House because of cheating? Hope you’re proud.
libfreeordie on November 9, 2012 at 7:45 AM
Then, the Democrats cheated in Illinois.
Fallon on November 9, 2012 at 8:21 AM
Sweet, thank goodness!! Suck it up dems
Dollayo on November 9, 2012 at 8:28 AM