Eric Holder to Lead Democrats Attack on Republican Gerrymandering
Source: NY Times
WASHINGTON As he prepared last week to deliver his farewell address, President Obama convened three Democratic leaders in the White House for a strategy session on the future of their party. The quiet huddle included Senator Chuck Schumer of New York and Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the top Democrats in Congress, and Gov. Terry McAuliffe of Virginia.
One topic of urgent concern, according to people briefed on the meeting: how to break the Republican Partys iron grip on the congressional map.
Thwarted for much of his term by a confrontational Republican Congress, and criticized by his fellow Democrats for not devoting sufficient attention to their down-ballot candidates, Mr. Obama has decided to make the byzantine process of legislative redistricting a central political priority in his first years after the presidency.
Emerging as Mr. Obamas chief collaborator and proxy is Eric H. Holder Jr., the former attorney general of the United States and a personal friend of the president. He has signed on to lead the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, a newly formed political group aimed at untangling the creatively drawn districts that have helped cement the Republican Party in power in Washington and many state capitals.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/11/us/eric-holder-to-lead-democrats-attack-on-republican-gerrymandering.html
Response to SecularMotion (Original post)
Post removed
LisaM
(27,811 posts)The real issue is that the Supreme Court overturned the Voting Rights Act and thus created a moving target.
I don't think it's fair to blame Holder.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)elections can be held. Delay has drawn lines from Houston to Austin in order to get republicans elected.
Dustlawyer
(10,495 posts)We would be blue if not for what Delay did.
It is about time the democrats are doing something about this. There are other things they must work on to make the difference.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been spending hundreds of millions of dollars on local and state races allowing Republicans to run over their opponents. Raising and/or diverting more DNC money to these races, especially judicial races is a must!
Voter registration drives to overwhelm the Republicans is doable. Here in Texas we have large numbers of unregistered voters typically aligned with Democrats. A concerted effort to register and educate these potential voters on what forms of ID are acceptable to be qualified to vote could help turn this state blue.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Is this the beginning, the first step in President Obama beginning his post-Presidential life by getting involved in this type of foundational work?
Imagine the impact if Michelle Obama also went out on the speaking trail and put her talents to work also.
Recommended.
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)His popularity would probably even rise higher. If both Obamas were to start touring and speaking it would also allow the public to contrast their behavior with that of Trump.
Plucketeer
(12,882 posts)that Holder actually does know how to prosecute! Interesting.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)resist Trump administration demands, as necessary. I read in one slimy right-wing lie factory that Judicial Watch is going after Holder, which seems quite believable despite the source.
BumRushDaShow
(129,017 posts)which might be a good template to get implemented in other states.
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,002 posts)INdemo
(6,994 posts)would be a perfect fit......
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,002 posts)Let him serve the public in a manner and a way of his choosing for a few years.
He's earned it.
cstanleytech
(26,291 posts)#1 He has been in a difficult job dealing with a political party that has been hostile to him and refused to work with him from day 1 and he needs a break.
#2 If he took the spot the GOP would use it rally and energize their base making it even more difficult to defeat them
Phoenix61
(17,006 posts)He is very much a grassroots organizer. I think he will do a wonderful job in that role and have a lot of fun also which he so deserves. If I was him, I'd be moving to an uninhabited island for at least a year after all the crap he has had to put up with.
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,002 posts)Skittles
(153,160 posts)and hit back on VOTER SUPPRESSION too
not fooled
(5,801 posts)If they are successful, that's one of 3 significant things that need to happen to turn around recent election results so that the will of REAL Americans (and majority of Americans) prevails. The second would be countering the incessant stream of RW propaganda from RW media, Faux Noise, Limdebauched, etc. The third would be effectively countering the $$$ from the kochs et al. going into elections to buy teevee ads to fool the rubes.
Oh, and fight back against voter suppression too (Skittles is spot on). So that makes 4 fronts on which to fight.
Tatiana
(14,167 posts)With the re-vamped OFA apparatus and legal challenges to many of these gerrymandered districts, we can finally start a coordinated push-back against the Republicans.
pbmus
(12,422 posts)JudyM
(29,250 posts)Cha
(297,240 posts)the article!
hollowdweller
(4,229 posts)Start an organization that would fight for and sue for end to voter disenfranchisement.
flamingdem
(39,313 posts)There will be more..