If the GOP felt confident that they could hold their own or make progress in the recall elections, why did they go to such extremes in the hurried gerrymandering they forced through the Legislature prior to the recalls?
Republicans stand to greatly benefit from the proposed changes in district lines. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) would lose much of her Democratic constituency residing in Shorewood (where her recall effort was launched) and the east side of Milwaukee rendering her district to be a virtual Republican stronghold. The plan even goes so far as to push incumbent Democrats out of their current districts. For example, Senator Bob Wirch (D-Pleasant Prairie), who is up for recall, would be placed outside of his home district.Strong motivation to elect Democrats who are the subject of these telling manipulations.
... and act as though the democrats would not have done the same thing.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I don't think so. For want of a better idiom, I don't think Democrats have the same killer instinct, politically.
ReplyDeleteYou hear and see more fair play or effort towards consensus on the Democratic side than you do from Republicans.
I do not expect you to agree, but I look at Obama's year-long effort to bring in the GOP on the health care issue, and his thankless work with Republicans on the debt-ceiling process as examples.
Really James?
ReplyDeleteHow inclusive was Obama in the Healthcare debate? Remember his "I won" comments? He didn't try to bring the republicans into anything on this issue. There was no compromise or bi-partisanship. It was simply him saying it is "my way or the highway." And in the end, it was done his way.
You can't have your cake and eat it too.
I hope the successful recall campaigns are followed by a lawsuit against the gerrymandering.
ReplyDelete@Boxer - - I'm not a lawyer, but I believe the litigation already filed gets more relevant after the redistricting goes into effect and consequences are measurable. A bit of a Catch-22.
ReplyDeleteUnless the redistricting can be shown to violate the Civil Rights act, in which case I believe there are quicker remedies.
Is it true that Governor Walker has until the end of today to sign the redistricting bill into law?
ReplyDeleteIs he waiting until the recall election polls close?
James Rowan- I beleive you are correct on all points.
ReplyDelete@Reagan's Disciple- "How inclusive was Obama in the Healthcare debate? " Inclusive enough to allow the republicans and the insurance companies write the legislation that was passed. Inclusive enough to make sure they got their oiece of the pie. That's pretty freekin inclusive.
To Anony, 3:21 PM. Yes. And I'm sure he will wait as long as possible so as not to further rile up the Dems.
ReplyDeleteTo James: Wouldn't redistricting several not-yet-elected representatives out of their districts meet the standard of 'measurable consequences'?
ReplyDelete