http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-south26jan26,1,3316193.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions Taking 'Modern Art' Out of California's Political Map
By Garry South
Garry South is a Democratic strategist who managed Gray Davis' two campaigns for governor.
January 26, 2005
Remember when our grade school crossing guards used to say, "The lines are your friends"? Well, that could also apply to members of the Legislature and the California congressional delegation.
After every decennial census, the Legislature is required to redraw the boundaries of all legislative and congressional districts to take population growth and shifts into account. In 2001, legislators on both side of the aisle conspired to rejigger district lines to remove even the semblance of competitiveness, making the overwhelming majority of seats slam-dunks for either Democrats or Republicans. To understand the process, think of two retail giants illegally colluding to divvy up sales territory, thereby awarding themselves geographical monopolies.
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But history shows that we Democrats have nothing to fear from fairly drawn legislative and congressional districts. We tend to put up better candidates, run better campaigns and raise more money than Republicans and advocate positions on major issues that are more in line with those of California voters.
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Does it take a rocket scientist — or even, for that matter, a political scientist — to figure out that we Democrats can compete and prevail without rigging the rules and creating noncompetitive monopolies?
In truth, a nonpartisan redrawing of district lines may favor Democrats in some cases and Republicans in others. What's important is that a fair redistricting would benefit the voters of California.