What the midterm elections mean for redistricting

2010 stands out from 1994 for the Republicans, or 2006/2008 for the Democrats, for a big reason. Decadal redistricting, for Congressional seats above all, but also seats in state legislatures, will be conducted by new state legislatures, with veto, or directional power, by governors, in states that don't have special redistricting commissions.

And, it really looks bad for Democrats here.

Here's a scary thought - the GOP holds the most state legislative seats since 1928.

The GOP also won at least seven Governorships on Tuesday, which means that Republicans will now control the entire government in 17 states. ... After the 1990 Census, the GOP had political control of states with a mere five seats in the House of Representatives. This time the GOP will control the process for some 195 seats, or nearly half the House. Democrats have used gerrymandering to preserve their dominance in states like California and Massachusetts—the latter still has no GOP House Members in 10 seats. But Republicans will serve their revenge Tom DeLay-style in other states.

But, the Journal does note the flip side:

This gives Republicans a tremendous opening—and obligation—to show they can tackle the fiscal, tax and pension problems that the departing politicians of both parties have failed to address.

So, if you're a Democratic state legislator, you know who to blame - Preznit Kumbaya.

Again, not for being too liberal, but for not knowing (or caring???) how to sell a fucking message.

More and more, I think his "eloquence" perception is in part due to ... the soft bigotry of low expectations from Volvo-driving, latte-sipping economic neoliberals who heard a black man from the North speaking standard American English.