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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump Wins Big as Virginia Dems Won't Go Nuclear to Save 4 House Seats
This is disappointing
The states Democrats have decided against forcing resignations on the state Supreme Court to preserve their redistricting. Funny how Republicans always find a way, and Democrats dont.
Link to tweet
https://newrepublic.com/article/210250/trump-virginia-dems-redistricting-war
The decisionwhich nixes a complicated idea, discussed over the weekend by Democrats, to replace the state Supreme Court and get the case reheardis likely to anger rank-and-file Democrats who had hoped the party would respond aggressively to the ruling, which has made it more likely that Republicans hold the House this fall.
The decision also contrasts sharply with moves undertaken by many GOP state legislatures in the South, who are aggressively gerrymandering their states with wild abandon to erase decades-old majority-majority seats from existence, after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key Voting Rights Act protection against racial gerrymanders.
As a practical matter, Virginias state Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell said in an interview, the move would not be capable of being implemented given the time frame.
The decision effectively kills off hopes of getting back the four House seats that Democrats had moved into their column by pulling off a victory in last months referendum, which redrew the states House map. Last week, the state Supreme Court struck down the new map, wiping away that potential four-seat gain.
SSJVegeta
(3,050 posts)hlthe2b
(114,535 posts)SSJVegeta
(3,050 posts)I suspect a good number of seats gained in TX alone and a trifecta takeover of the TX government.
Lovie777
(23,604 posts)but probably more like mid 220's instead of mid 230's. 10-15 seats is what this is granted republicans.
Response to LetMyPeopleVote (Original post)
BannonsLiver This message was self-deleted by its author.
rampartd
(4,947 posts)that repubs can slice the pie thinner, and now that we have given them this idea to get rid of judges they don;t like i expect to see a lot of mandatory retirements at the state court level.
mahatmakanejeeves
(70,575 posts)BannonsLiver
(20,827 posts)Nanjeanne
(6,630 posts)getting paid to give bad advice.
Mad_Machine76
(25,002 posts)It seems a bit dirty/underhanded to me and, plus, it could backfire or get blocked in the courts. I'm pissed off about what happened in Virginia, but what would we be saying if and when Republicans do something like this, say, in Wisconsin (of course, now that it's been suggested, the Republicans might take it as a dare to try it themselves where they can)?
Does Virgina appoint or elect its judges?
MichMan
(17,365 posts)I'm not so sure that the plan to lower the mandatory retirement age to 54 wouldn't have violated some age discrimination laws.
Mad_Machine76
(25,002 posts)I'm glad that we're not going this route.
ABC123Easy
(335 posts)"Funny how Republicans always find a way, and Democrats dont."
Couldn't say it better myself!
BannonsLiver
(20,827 posts)I bet there will be a few responses in this thread from folks who are happy VA Dems arent going to do anything bold because that would be too much like the other side and we dont want that. You can practically set your watch to it.
W_HAMILTON
(10,430 posts)If *just enough* on our side hadn't done it so often in recent memory, WE would be the ones with stumbling block after stumbling block in place to thwart Republicans.
Instead, Republicans are the ones who have been fighting to win these elections and fill judicial vacancies with judges that often serve for decades.
Meanwhile, we have some on our side hiring for prominent roles fucking morons that thought the Supreme Court wasn't worth supporting Democratic candidates over -- in elections against Trump, no less!
Mad_Machine76
(25,002 posts)then having to try to react to extreme situations like this and figure out end runs around other barriers.
republianmushroom
(22,634 posts)in2herbs
(4,512 posts)and murdered in front of our very eyes! I viewed this VA option as a peaceful protest, but obviously there are Ds in power who don't even want us to do that.
Duncan Grant
(8,937 posts)(Voters are telling our legislators to fight like hell and theyre fighting like heck. A difference I wont soon forget.)
FascismIsDeath
(244 posts)...I'll take his word for it. He speaks with more credibility on it than anyone posting here does.