LRave

A lot of them didn't show up, but eventually they got the 100 needed for a quorum. Ironically, since so many dems were missing, the bill was slammed right through with barely a pause.

It's not entirely clear if the House Democrats were actually attempting a boycott or not. Though it doesn't really matter, since this is the Senate's game now.

LRave

Look, I think there's been a breakdown in communication somewhere, but I don't think it's entirely on my end.

Let's review.

You say that you want a fair and balanced map that doesn't favor either party. That's great. We all do.

But then you defend Republican actions in trying to get their map passed. The only way that this doesn't conflict with your stated belief is if you also believe that the Republicans are trying to pass a map that doesn't favor either party.

If that is what you believe, then I've got news for you: The map the Republicans are trying to ram down our throats is not remotely fair or balanced. In fact there's some pretty obvious gerrymandering going on.

I'm glad you support a map that's fair. But if you really do support a fair map, then you need to stop supporting the Texas Republicans and start coming up with some ideas about how we might actually get said map.

LRave

I question the notion that the existing map is biased towards the Dems. It is true that Texas currently has more Democratic Representatives that Republican ones (barely) but if we look at the voter breakdown by district, it doesn't look like that's the fault of the map.

Consider Districts 1, 2, 4, 11, and 17. In each district, Perry, Corwyn, and other state Republicans got better results that they did statewide. In each district there are more registered Republicans than Democrats. By all accounts, these are republican districts. And yet in each district, a Democratic Representative won. Why? Because the Democrat is an incumbant who has worked hard for his constituants, and they know and trust him.

It doesn't look like that map is unfair. It looks like Republicans are crossing party lines to vote for Democratic incumbants. That's what Delay wants to stop. By breaking up those districts, he hopes to encourage people to vote more along party lines. Why this is good for Texas is beyond me.

The_Dude

let's not question the power of incumbency; it's great. incubency also gives a lot of privilages to the rep also.


and as for the house version of the bill to pass, i really really doubt it. a HUGe majority of the senate is against the current bill passed (the one by delay)

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