Democrats backed a commission to draw fair House lines in Colorado. Now they worry they gave up

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

their power.

When Colorado Democrats joined the state’s Republicans to support an independent commission to redraw political district lines, many of them celebrated it as a rare bipartisan victory in the name of fairness and good governance.

But now that the first-time commission has finished its work, the result is what some other Democrats had feared: a map that they say is overly generous to Republicans. Rather than adding an additional Democratic seat — which many leaders in that party argue is justified based on an influx of left-leaning voters and traditionally pro-Democratic Latinos — the commission has carved out a new, competitive district while largely preserving the current districts held by four Democrats and three Republicans.

“I’m distraught by it all because in many ways it was worse than I anticipated,” said Rick Ridder, a longtime Democratic consultant who was among those raising alarm three years ago about giving map drawing over to a commission. “This was a bad idea from a long term perspective; the trends were moving very significantly on our behalf. Under the mantra of fairness, Democrats conceded the power for the coming decade.”

The congressional map is currently under a required review by the state Supreme Court, which has until Nov. 1 to approve the map or return it to the commission for changes. A raft of liberal and pro-Democratic groups have joined the legal fray to oppose the plan, underscoring the extent to which even a single seat could be decisive in the Democrats’ quest next year to retain their razor-thin majority in the U.S. House.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2021/colorado-redistricting-democrats/

[dalton99a]

1. Such naivete

Giving power to them is suicide.

[PortTack]

2. Same thing happened in VA. I don't think the gov signed it yet

[lagomorph777]

18. I was just about to post that.

We are such easy marks.

[LenaBaby61]

14. THIS 👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻

STOP FOLDING.

[maxsolomon]

4. This is what's happening in WA as well.

Dems are bending over backwards to be fair and act in Good Faith. Given the majority that Librulz hold in this state (Gov, both houses of the Legislature, both Senators, majority of Congressional Districts), we're hurting ourselves.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

6. Really?

Both our Senators are Democrats as are 7 of the 10 Representatives. Seems our party is doing pretty well.

[SoonerPride]

8. But if Dems gerrymandered like Rs do it would be 10 of 10.

We need to fight the same fight instead of unilaterally surrendering.

[maxsolomon]

12. Well, maybe.

it would be hard to carve a Dem district out of Eastern WA.

[maxrandb]

19. Retrumplicans would find a way to do it nt

[maxsolomon]

13. I heard a woman commenter on KUOW say that in the "Week in Review" w/ Bill Radke

It made sense to me - wish I could remember who it was.

[LenaBaby61]

15. THIS 👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻

[MarcA]

5. It is foolish of Democrats to Not Gerrymander where they can.

The Supreme Court has largely told the States to do as you please and the R controlled States are doing exactly that.

[LenaBaby61]

16. THIS 👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻

[dsc]

7. A comparison that shows the power of gerrymandering

Colorado is a state that both Hillary and Biden carried by at least 8 points. NC was about a 4 point win and then a 2 point win for Trump. Colorado will be, at best 5/3 D. NC will be either 11/3 or best case 10/4 R. That is insane.

[Dawson Leery]

9. Democrats need to take everything they can.

NY and IL are leading the way. Can Newsom override Cali' commission?

[Carlitos Brigante]

10. Huh, who would've 'thunk it'?.... nt

[Autumn]

11. This is what happens when anyone trusts Republicans. Bipartisan is another word for Republicans

will fuck you over.

[LenaBaby61]

17. THIS 👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻

[msongs]

20. Munich syndrome nt