Tex. GOP's 'Party' Politics (Fundraiser "Victory Celebration")

By Edward Walsh
Wednesday, October 15, 2003; Page A06


Texas Republicans just can't seem to contain their glee over the congressional redistricting plan passed by the state legislature and designed to end the political careers of seven or more veteran Democrats in the U.S. House.

The latest example is an invitation to a $150-a-couple fundraiser for Rep. Joe Barton on Monday in Arlington, Tex. The event is dubbed a "Victory Celebration for Republican Redistricting" and, according to the invitation, will include such activities as " 'Fair' Line Dancin'," a "Gary-mandering Contest" and "Pin the Boot on the Donkey."

According to political analysts, if the redistricting plan survives Democrats' legal challenge, it could easily shift control of Texas's congressional delegation from the current Democratic 17 to 15 advantage to a 22 to 10 GOP majority. The plan cleared the Texas Senate Sunday night and was sent to Gov. Rick Perry (R) for his signature.

But Republicans were so confident of its passage that invitations to the Barton fundraiser were sent out a few weeks ago. "We had no idea what the map was going to look like at that point," said Craig Murphy, a political consultant to Barton. "We expected a map would pass, and we were planning a fundraising event in this time frame, so we decided to make it a redistricting fundraiser."

more.............

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26594-2003Oct14.html

as it examines the "non-partisan" reasons for the redistricting.:eyes:

I think they made rpetty clear that their intention was to boot out a bunch of Democrats and put in some of their own people.

Maybe George W. Bush can "congratulate" the Texas Republicans on their new redistricting.