Unfortunately. However, many states are very careful with redistricting. My state, Minnesota, does a good job of it after each census. The rules were carefully drawn years ago, and are followed. We do have two congressional districts that are majority republican, but they're geographically drawn, and were redrawn property after the 2010 census.
Again, this is a state issue. The federal government can step in, and has, in some cases, but it remains a state by state thing. Sadly, some states are what they are, and no amount of redistricting will change that. In other states, like Pennsylvania, the boundaries are primarily geographical and seem to be divided more between rural an urban districts than anything else.
The facts are that there are places where Republicans are in the majority. In many states, rural counties and districts vote Republican consistently, and have done so for decades.
However, in every state, there are districts that are nearly equally divided between Republicans and Democrats. In every state, there are districts that can go either way. That's true here in Minnesota, and we stand an excellent chance of getting a Democrat elected in Michele Bachmann's district. People may think that's impossible, but Bachmann only won with a 1% margin in 2012. We can turn that district in 2014, and will be working hard to do that.
In every state, Democrats need to be looking closely, district-by-district, to identify districts where change is possible and focus efforts in those districts. If we do that, we will gain the majority in the House. If we do not, we will still end up with a Republican majority.
I live in Minnesota. So, I'm going to be working on the two districts with a Republican incumbent. Both are possible switches, if the right candidate runs on the Democratic side. I'm hopeful. In both districts, a Democrat who can win will not be progressive enough for a lot of people's liking. But a Democrat who will vote with the Democratic caucus is far better than any Republican, especially if a progressive Democrat cannot possibly win.
That's my opinion. It's one I've always maintained. And I'll be working to get one or two pickups for Democrats in my own state. Beyond that, it's up to Democrats in other states to do their part.
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