Republican redistricting proposals would endanger several outspoken NC House Democrats

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/140eea4c850a4744a20f3620a2125edd/NC--Capitol-Letter/

GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press
First Posted: July 17, 2011 - 10:25 am
Last Updated: July 17, 2011 - 11:32 am

RALEIGH, N.C. — Seven-term Democratic Rep. Jennifer Weiss aggravated Republicans for years by pushing her party's agenda when it controlled the North Carolina House. The former finance committee leader peeved the new GOP majority more this year by speaking out against things on its own to-do list.

Now Weiss considers it a compliment on her legislative effectiveness when mapmakers proposed splitting her Cary subdivision between two House seats to rope her into a Republican-leaning district against first-term GOP Rep. Tom Murry of nearby Morrisville. The proposed district line takes a detour to within 600 feet of her home to scoop her up.

"I'm surprised the line didn't go right down the marital bed," Weiss quipped. "I'm happy that my husband can still vote for me." snip

The data behind the House maps suggest a Republican tactic to pad their margins in the chamber by pushing out some outspoken opponents such as Weiss in current or emerging Democratic areas.

[saras]

1. Allowing partisan districting was and is always a mistake on Dem's part

These days, Dems just aren't as willing to abuse it to these extremes, giving Repub extremists an unfair advantage.

Bipartisan and public is the only way to make this process fair.

[ellenfl]

2. here in florida in 2010 we voted to amend our constitution to

make redistricting fair, but our repub-led legislature and gov. voldemort are trying to circumvent the will of the people. there's been a full-court press to overturn these amendments and now the districts are being drawn by repubs behind closed doors.

what seems clear to me is that repubs would not have to go to the lengths they do to disenfranchise voters if they actually had the numbers. this MAY be a mostly christian nation (as they claim and i disagree) but it is apparently not a conservative nation by their own implied admission. why would you have to stack the deck in your favor if it already is?

ellen fl