The Most Important Race of 2010

[sonias]

Huffington Post 12/04/09
The Most Important Race of 2010
(snip)
That can have huge implications for the national Democratic party. The 2010 midterms are by far, the least important of the decade. They occur in the same year as the census, just a year before the redistricting process in which districts will be completely redrawn for 2012. Some members of Congress are running in 2010 for seats that won't exist come 2012. How that redistricting plays out is far more important than the outcome in 2010. And that's where Texas comes in.

The Census Bureau recently released population projections that suggest that Texas could pick up as many as four Congressional seats after the census. Those will have to be placed where the population growth occurred, which is invariably among minority communities in major urban areas. These will be Democratic districts.

It's also an opportunity to rid the state of the Congressional map drawn mid-decade by Tom Delay and the Republican-controlled state legislature, a map which caused Democrats to lose 7 seats through gerrymandering shenanigans. All told, if the Democrats have a seat at the negotiating table during the Texas redistricting process, they could pick up as many as 10 seats, perhaps more.

Bill White is the best chance Democrats have to get that seat at that table. The state legislature draws the map, subject to the governor's veto. The Republicans solidly control the state senate, but only hold a two vote margin in the state house. Democrats could find their seat at the table be retaking the state house in 2010, but in this political climate, the odds of that are relatively slim.

In case anyone was forgetting how important that race for Governor is.
:dem:

Sonia

[Melissa G]

1. Ah, a Dem in the Governor's mansion again...

That would be a lovely present! :dem:

[sonias]

2. Well with all those new Texans moving in to our state

AAS 12/24/09
Texas is nation's fastest-growing state
(snip)
Texas gained more people than any other state between July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2009, adding about 478,000. The Texas increase for the period is comparable to the population of Omaha, Neb.

Census figures show the U.S. population, as of Thursday, topped 308 million.

Director Robert Groves says this week's update is the final set of state population estimates that will be published before the official 2010 count.

No idea on the breakdown of those 478,000 people, but let's hope the voting age populace will make the state bluer!

Sonia

[onestepforward]

3. This governor's race is critical for Texas.

If the new health care legislation includes a state opt-out, I can almost guarantee that a repub. governor would opt-out without giving it a second thought. They have to say "NO!" to everything Obama vs. attempting to assist 1 out of 4 fellow Texans without health insurance. This is just one issue along with many.

I'm so ready to see goodhair hit the door! :)

[sonias]

4. We need some national attention

I hope we get some help this year.

:hi:


Sonia