Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
▼
Monday, December 19, 2011
Jackson Eaton to Meet the Press Today About Congressional Redistricting
Republican-turned-Democrat Jackson Eaton, who intends to run against LV Congressman Charlie Dent, will conduct a news conference today about "the break-up of Pennsylvania communities among multiple congressional districts that will occur with the new redistricting law expected to pass the state legislature in the next week." I'm going to take a wild guess here and predict he'll condemn the plan, as Dent has already done.
12 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
Charlie Dent's district is more Republican leaning than it was before. I doubt that he's doing alot of handringing about this redistricting..I just think it's funny that everyone is so upset about the lehigh valley being split into two districts..Honestly, who gives a damn..The real issue with this gerrymandered mess is that the GOP has used this process to essentially strengthen all of its toss up Congressional districts so they are almost impossible to lose, if ever..They have basically created a dictatorship in Pennsylvania in regard to the Pa. House and Senate and the Congressional delegation, despite their being a distict minority in regard to voter registration..That is the most galling and troubling issue by far...Having the Lehigh Valley represented by two Congressmen instead of one is not a big deal either way..
ReplyDeleteMaybe. Funny. I've read a story that incredibly claims this will make Dent more vulnernable. I don't believe that, but do think it will hurt Charlie in the sense that he is going to lose many municipalities where he has many friends and supporters.
ReplyDeleteIn Nazareth, a tiny little boro, he knows everyone. He's here every 7/4, blowing on the gazoo. People here like Charlie, and he seems to enjoy his time here. That's what is sad. Places like Nazareth and Upper Mount Bethel will lose him. And he will lose us for municipalities in Lebanon where I doubt he knows so many people.
oh come on! You know the demographics as well as I. This is another case of charlie playing polotics. He is saying one thing in public to suit his image and laughing in private. He plays a great game.
ReplyDeleteSemaus
oh come on! You know the demographics as well as I. This is another case of charlie playing polotics. He is saying one thing in public to suit his image and laughing in private. He plays a great game.
ReplyDeleteSemaus
I emailed Rep. Hahn this morning asking her to explain her thought process to approve of this redistricting plan. I'll let you know what I hear...
ReplyDeleteWe've gone from one congressman responsible for two counties to two congressman responsible for a total of eleven.
How is this better for the Lehigh Valley?
Where does this all begin? Who created a state with high taxation rates that were not favorable to resident or business. Who is responsible for the lost population in the last ten years? Lost population = lost congressional seats. Who do we think we are to believe that we should not see some alteration to our district?
ReplyDeleteWhy did Republicans get elected from Dog Catcher to Governor in the last election? We need to shut up, worry about something else that is meaningful and get on with out lives. The only people complaining about this were those wanting to launch a career in the US House after wasting away in the PA legislature. They are the problem. They do nothing and collect big salaries and retirement benefits.
Dear 3:01,
ReplyDeleteIf you don't think this is a big issue, my guess is you watch too much Fox news..You know, that news organization that seems to uneducate it's voters..This gerrymandering is a huge issue..Doesn't matter which party does it..It strips the soul out of our Democracy..Soldiers are dying overseas fighting to assist fledgling Democracies and here at home our present legislators are turning ours into a dictatorship.
Yea, the Republicans did win alot of seats in 2010 promising jobs for everyone and promising to repeal Obamacare..How's that working out? It was all a fraud. Not all they focus on is abortion, suppressing voter's rights and cutting public sector jobs while blaming Obama for those job losses..The republican led House of representatives now has about a 9% approval rating ..Well deserved!
Anon 3:27 Gerrymandering is a characteristic of two party systems. Despite everything that we think we can do about it, in the end one party will always write the rules to benefit itself. Even if you had a non partisan commission draw the lines, there is no guarantee that the Lehigh Valley would remain in one district. There is no way that those who are charged with the responsibility of drawing districts could accommodate all the interest groups that are out there. Arizona did a study that attempted to draw districts based on interest groups and not political registrations. They attempted to keep every interest group in the same district: Navajo Indians, the city of Scottsdale, farming interest, etc. They ended up with a map that reflected the lines of political parties. My point is that the Pennsylvania legislature has delivered nothing so I cannot get upset at this issue, interest groups such as the Chamber sat on their ass all year and never lobbied for their cause, and I am going to get a Democrat representative which suits me fine. I will be seeing votes that reflect my opinion. If every metropolitan area had a member in congress, there will not be enough room in the chamber to house every representative and we have not even looked at rural interests. Move on and complain about something else that is worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteyeah, widen 22 and let all the bridges fall down in Allentown.
ReplyDeleteThe PA legislature is the worst in the country and should be halved. Gerrymandering certainly is a characteristic of a one party system - incumbents. They all make deals to keep themselves in office; regardless of party. It's otherwise called bipartisanship and applauded by evolved moderates. When the political class is getting along, it's usually at our expense.
ReplyDeleteseamus has had too much koolaid today
ReplyDeletewow annon 7:13, you are quite the debater.
ReplyDeleteSeamus