My letter to the New Mexico Democratic Party ( on redistricting)

Dear New Mexico Democrats:

First let me thank you for taking good care of our Texas Senate Democrats during their visit to your state. We appreciate the protection your state has provided our senators.

I live in Austin, which if Tom DeLay has his way, will be split up into 3 or 4 districts, effectively diluting minority representation. In fact, the whole state of Texas will suffer a similar fate, even though the state is only 53% white--and dropping. Republicans in Colorado and now Ohio are also plotting mid-decade redistricting schemes with the intent of diluting minority votes and creating a permanent right wing dynasty. Fortunately, there are a few states where Democrats have the ability to fight back if Republicans are serious about mid-decade redistricting. New Mexico is one of those states, as Democrats control the governorship and the legislature. With some creative tinkering of the boundaries the state could create one, maybe two more Democratic congressional districts. While I don't approve of the precedent being set by Tom DeLay, Democrats must be prepared to fight back. I urge the New Mexico Democratic Party to consider revising its congressional districts.

but I can't agree with you here. If Democrats start redrawing districts, even as much as I'd like them too, we are stooping to the same level as the Republicans and that would be wrong. Redrawing boundaries after they've already been done is wrong, especially if it is simply for partisan reasons -- no matter which side is doing it.

Matthew

Well, we can take that "we won't stoop to their level" attitude, while Republicans continue to redraw state after state.

But we will feel good about ourselves! I suppose George McGovern's supporters felt great about themselves after the 1972 election for running a "principled" campaign, but Nixon was the one elected President, and nothing changes when you are out of power.

it's definitely a "moral" dilemma. But, after protesting, bitching and moaning, and fighting the Texas redistricting fiasco tooth and nail -- I intern for one of the Congressman they are trying to oust, so my internship is at state -- I couldn't in good conscious put my rubber stamp on other states, controlled by Democrats, doing the same thing. Wrong is wrong...

Matthew

it passes in Texas. It would be really hypocratical to do redistricting after we got so upset in Texas. However, if it passes in Texas than all hell can break loose and we should try in other places like New Mexico. Unfortunately, New Jersey has a bipartisan commission that does redistricting, but that was good in 2000 when the republicans were in control.

and it made a marginal district safe Repuke. Since we probably only pick up one seat in New Mexico, I think it would be fair to get that seat.

Districts 1 and 2 only voted narrowly for republicans in 2002. If we just sent some districts from Tom Udall's district could we potentially knock off both republicans? However, I definitely don't want to put Tom Udall at risk.

Also, it might be bad because it will only encourage more republicans to do it and there will be redistricting plans everywhere and that may hurt democrats since there are more republican legislators.

Why the hell is it such a Republican hell hole then. 90% of that 53% must vote GOP.

n/c

and some blacks do too. I'm not sure about the 53% but if it is there would still be a decent number of hispanics that will vote republican.

minorities in this state just don't vote. And the big cities and suburbs like Dallas, etc., overwhelmingly vote Republican and outweigh the Valley, which is predominately Hispanic, in all the state-wide elections. Most Statewide Democrats in 2002 got about 41% of the vote while the Republicans got 53%. So, that fits just about with 53% whites voting 100% Republican.

it's also been said it's becoming fashionable for minorities in texas to vote republican -- sort of like a status symbol -- at least thats the impression in east texas.

Matthew