Those shameless GOoPs are
still at it, trying to take gerrymandering to the next level.
The skinny:
A three-judge panel Thursday threw out the last piece of a lawsuit filed by Republicans unhappy with how Colorado's seven congressional districts were drawn.
The dismissal means Colorado will keep the map chosen by former Denver District Judge John Coughlin, which keeps the new 7th District extremely competitive.
Colorado's 7th district is home to Bob Beauprez, who is running for governor in 2006. Keeping the districts the way they are could mean sending one more Dem to DC in 2006 to get us Speaker of the House Pelosi.
This also illustrates the importance of grilling Bush's Roberts nomination, because the GOP has "judicial activism" on their minds:
The chairman of the state GOP said the party will appeal the ruling. "It's not over," said Bob Martinez. "We expected this was going to happen. The issue is national and it's going to be decided in the U.S. Supreme Court."
So much for state's rights, eh?
:: flip ::
The Dems get a few good rips in the melee:
"It is ridiculous that Republicans continue to argue the boundaries of the redistricting map," [Pat Waak] said. "Despite all their appeals, the courts have consistently upheld that the maps are legal."
It sure is, Pat.
The article has a pretty good rehash of the history of this suit. Even more interesting is the opinion handed out in the 2-1 vote on the 10th Circuit Court. The GOP claimed "that their First Amendment rights were violated because a court made the decision on the map. That tied the hands of the state legislature and, in effect, deprived citizens of their right to petition government for a redress of grievances."
The court shot back with this interesting response:
American citizens have the right to petition government, but they have no rights or guarantees that their grievances will be addressed, or even listened to, the panel said.
Cross-posted @ SoapBlox Colorado - a new group blog on the Rocky Mountain state that needs you! In Colorado? Stop by, join, and blog!