House Control May Ride on Supreme Court

"The biggest Republican concern about future control of the House rests with the Supreme Court's decision in the Texas congressional redistricting case," Robert Novak reports.

"Republican leaders were stunned when the court agreed to a review. They had thought the issue was settled when the justices, by 5-4, refused to consider a similar case in Pennsylvania. But Justice Anthony Kennedy, who cast the decisive vote on the Pennsylvania case, is a swing vote who could go the other way on Texas."

The Dallas Morning News says Texas "is sure to be the epicenter of this year's congressional races" but unless Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX) "is convicted or the court throws out Texas' current congressional map, voters can expect spirited contests in only three Texas districts, and the campaign that officially begins today -- the deadline for candidates to file paperwork to run in the March 7 primaries -- probably won't alter the lineup much."

Meanwhile, a New York Times analysis says "Democratic hopes of winning back the House are somewhat remote. They have a better shot at capturing the Senate."


http://politicalwire.com/archives/2006/01/02/house_control_may_ride_on_supreme_court.html