Soros-Backed Group, Beto O’Rourke PAC Pick Up Tab For Texas Democrats’ Gerrymandering Stunt

Always in His Presence · Thursday at 11:34 AM

Soros-Backed Group, Beto O’Rourke PAC Pick Up Tab For Texas Democrats’ Gerrymandering Stunt

Groups tied to billionaire megadonor George Soros and failed candidate Beto O’Rourke are picking up the tab for Texas Democrats who fled the state to block a GOP redistricting plan, according to The Texas Tribune.

Since Sunday, dozens of Texas House Democrats have taken refuge in blue states such as Illinois to deny the state House a quorum needed to pass a new congressional map that could net Republicans up to five additional seats. The absent democrats face a $500 fine for each day they are absent, but O’Rourke’s Powered by People PAC and the Soros-backed Texas Majority PAC are covering much of the cost, according to The Texas Tribune.

Since the Texas House Democrats fled the Lone Star State, Powered by People has directed all donations towards supporting the effort, according to the Texas Tribune. O’Rourke’s political outfit has reportedly paid for lawmakers’ expenses, including travel, including private flights, hotel rooms, meals and logistical support, a source familiar with the matter told the outlet.

yes reminiscent of a petulant child who could not get their way - the Democratic leadership packed up their ball and bat and fled the state in what could be viewed as a cowardly move. Why? Because Republicans are doing EXACTLY what Democrats have done in other states.

Always in His Presence · Thursday at 11:42 AM

Liberal Media Dutifully Ignoring Illinois’ Blatant Gerrymandering Hypocrisy

Major legacy media outlets are overlooking the inconvenient truth about partisan gerrymandering in Illinois while Texas House Democrats take refuge in the state to thwart a GOP-led redistricting proposal.

On Sunday, dozens of House Democrats fled the Lone Star State for Illinois to deny the state House the quorum needed to pass a new congressional map that would give Republicans up to five additional seats. The stunt has received broad national coverage, but much of it fails to mention that the Texas lawmakers are sheltering in one of the most heavily gerrymandered states under the protection of rumored 2028 presidential hopeful Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

The New York Times reported that Texas Republicans are seeking to implement an “aggressively redrawn congressional map,” and noted that Pritzker is “weighing whether his state will respond to the move in Texas by redrawing its own congressional map in the Democrats’ favor.”

However, the NYT conveniently fails to mention that Illinois’ heavily-gerrymandered map leaves little room for further political maneuvering. Pritzker signed off on a new congressional map in 2021 that squeezed out one additional congressional seat for his party, bringing the Democratic total to 14 out of Illinois’ 17 seats.

In a piece titled “Texas election map fight swells into national political warfare,” The Washington Post similarly portrays Democrats as having their hands forced by Republicans to redraw maps, while glossing over Illinois’ history of gerrymandering for political gain.

GoldenBoy89 · Thursday at 3:00 PM

Looks like Texas Dems are starting to pick up on the GOP playbook that says it’s not what’s right or wrong but what you can get away with that matters now.

Fantine · Thursday at 3:30 PM

I don't call trying to preserve representation for the 45+% of Democrats in Texas a "stunt." Abbott's actions are the stunt.

iluvatar5150 · Thursday at 3:59 PM

lol, Abbott calls for an off-cycle “emergency” redistricting in order to gerrymander the state into oblivion and it’s Dems who are pulling “stunts”.

Always in His Presence · Thursday at 4:12 PM

Fantine said:
I don't call trying to preserve representation for the 45+% of Democrats in Texas a "stunt." Abbott's actions are the stunt.

They are just mimicking what the Democrats did in Illinois - durn copycats!

Palmfever · Saturday at 2:53 PM

Always in His Presence said:
Soros-Backed Group, Beto O’Rourke PAC Pick Up Tab For Texas Democrats’ Gerrymandering Stunt

Groups tied to billionaire megadonor George Soros and failed candidate Beto O’Rourke are picking up the tab for Texas Democrats who fled the state to block a GOP redistricting plan, according to The Texas Tribune.

Since Sunday, dozens of Texas House Democrats have taken refuge in blue states such as Illinois to deny the state House a quorum needed to pass a new congressional map that could net Republicans up to five additional seats. The absent democrats face a $500 fine for each day they are absent, but O’Rourke’s Powered by People PAC and the Soros-backed Texas Majority PAC are covering much of the cost, according to The Texas Tribune.

Since the Texas House Democrats fled the Lone Star State, Powered by People has directed all donations towards supporting the effort, according to the Texas Tribune. O’Rourke’s political outfit has reportedly paid for lawmakers’ expenses, including travel, including private flights, hotel rooms, meals and logistical support, a source familiar with the matter told the outlet.

yes reminiscent of a petulant child who could not get their way - the Democratic leadership packed up their ball and bat and fled the state in what could be viewed as a cowardly move. Why? Because Republicans are doing EXACTLY what Democrats have done in other states.

Democratic strategist says party lacks 'moral authority' on Texas redistricting fight

Texas redistricting battle intensifies as Republicans push for five new seats and California considers emergency measures to counteract Republican gains.

www.foxnews.com

...However, Democratic strategist Julian Epstein told "Fox News Live" on Saturday that his party is not immune from criticism, as many blue states have already gerrymandered in a way that limits Republican congressional representation.

"No, I think they don’t have the moral authority, and there’s a lot of pearl-clutching going on," he said.

Several blue states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Mexico, have no Republicans in their House delegations. And many feature oddly-drawn districts, seemingly crafted to limit GOP representation.

"The Democrats don’t have clean hands here. You look at states like Massachusetts, New Jersey[…] Illinois, California, and Democrats have effectively gerrymandered Republicans out of existence," Epstein added.

Fantine · Saturday at 5:23 PM

I don't think that it's wrong for O'Rourke to solicit donations to help the Democrats fight for democracy in Texas---as long as campaign funds aren't used. If he collects money in a different account I'm sure it would be legal.

Similarly, if Gov. Pritzker, whose family owns Hyatt Hotels, gives the Texas Democrats free lodging in rooms that would be otherwise vacant I don't see what's wrong with that.

President Trump could use a similar generous attitude, as he charges the US government top dollar to house the Secret Service at Mar a Lago. We don't know what it is, only that the Secret Service ran through their entire budget in early August the first year he was president, and five-star hotels in W. Palm Beach start at $780 a night.

The generous spirit of JB Pritzker, a wealthier man than Trump, some inherited but most earned through investment businesses he founded, is in such sharp contrast to Trump, who squeezes every nickel he can out of his White House stay.

Pommer · Saturday at 6:27 PM

Always in His Presence said:
They are just mimicking what the Democrats did in Illinois - durn copycats!

Didn’t Texas already revise its Congressional District in response to the 2020 census?
Why’s it an “emergency” that they have to redo it before 2031?

Desk trauma · Saturday at 7:52 PM

Pommer said:
Didn’t Texas already revise its Congressional District in response to the 2020 census?
Why’s it an “emergency” that they have to redo it before 2031?

Midterms.

Always in His Presence · Saturday at 7:52 PM

Dunno

Always in His Presence · Saturday at 7:54 PM

Say it aint so · Saturday at 7:55 PM

Always in His Presence said:
Soros-Backed Group, Beto O’Rourke PAC Pick Up Tab For Texas Democrats’ Gerrymandering Stunt

Groups tied to billionaire megadonor George Soros and failed candidate Beto O’Rourke are picking up the tab for Texas Democrats who fled the state to block a GOP redistricting plan, according to The Texas Tribune.

Since Sunday, dozens of Texas House Democrats have taken refuge in blue states such as Illinois to deny the state House a quorum needed to pass a new congressional map that could net Republicans up to five additional seats. The absent democrats face a $500 fine for each day they are absent, but O’Rourke’s Powered by People PAC and the Soros-backed Texas Majority PAC are covering much of the cost, according to The Texas Tribune.

Since the Texas House Democrats fled the Lone Star State, Powered by People has directed all donations towards supporting the effort, according to the Texas Tribune. O’Rourke’s political outfit has reportedly paid for lawmakers’ expenses, including travel, including private flights, hotel rooms, meals and logistical support, a source familiar with the matter told the outlet.

yes reminiscent of a petulant child who could not get their way - the Democratic leadership packed up their ball and bat and fled the state in what could be viewed as a cowardly move. Why? Because Republicans are doing EXACTLY what Democrats have done in other states.

Where can I donate?

Say it aint so · Saturday at 7:59 PM

Always in His Presence said:
View attachment 368332

If only we had a Federal Law enacted that would stop gerrymandering by everyone.
Oh wait, not only did we, but in light of you know what group gutting that; a new proposal from one political party and not the other was shot down by one of them. I'm sure everyone can fill in those blanks.

SimplyMe · Saturday at 8:40 PM

Always in His Presence said:
They are just mimicking what the Democrats did in Illinois - durn copycats!

The governor in Illinois called an emergency session of the legislature to redraw the Congressional districts? I'm curious, when did that happen? Perhaps the Illinois governor needs to call a special session of the legislature so they can make the last 3 Republican districts Democratic seats?

Though, personally, I'll condemn any governor who is redrawing district maps in the middle of a decade merely to increase their parties hold of political power.

Fantine · Saturday at 10:05 PM

Always in His Presence said:
View attachment 368332

Because they do it once every ten years, playing by the rules! i live in a state where our entire Congressional representation is Republican, and things are so bad that sometimes the only competition is a lone libertarian with no budget---who, under normal circumstances, would get single digits. Instead, the people who can't stand the Congressman or Senator will vote libertarian or Green Party, and the opponent, without spending a dime or campaigning, gets 35 to 40% o the vote.

Pommer · Saturday at 10:27 PM

Say it aint so said:
Where can I donate?

Just don’t ca$h the Soros check we lefties get each month for posting on forums. Same diff.

Always in His Presence · Sunday at 7:18 AM

Fantine said:
Because they do it once every ten years, playing by the rules! i live in a state where our entire Congressional representation is Republican, and things are so bad that sometimes the only competition is a lone libertarian with no budget---who, under normal circumstances, would get single digits. Instead, the people who can't stand the Congressman or Senator will vote libertarian or Green Party, and the opponent, without spending a dime or campaigning, gets 35 to 40% o the vote.

1. Are saying as long as they are under represented every ten years, it is ok? That is strange logic imho.

2. Here is a hint. There is more inequality in Blue states than in Arkansas.

44% of voters in New Mexico are Republican, yet they have no seats. Zero. How it that ok?

Fantine · Sunday at 7:55 AM

All 50 states should redistribute their districts simultaneously--whether it's done every four years, eight years or ten years. I expect population will shrink in red states because they are overzealously deputizing their police to profile all the brown people and deport deport deport.
Blue states more sensibly leave immigrants who work hard alone, so their numbers will be more stable.

SimplyMe · Sunday at 8:39 AM

Always in His Presence said:
1. Are saying as long as they are under represented every ten years, it is ok? That is strange logic imho.

2. Here is a hint. There is more inequality in Blue states than in Arkansas.

44% of voters in New Mexico are Republican, yet they have no seats. Zero. How it that ok?

Maybe because New Mexico has only 3 House seats in New Mexico and their Congressional Districts do not appear to be gerrymandered? Instead, it appears the Congressional districts are basically one for the North, one for the South, and one for Albuquerque (and the center of the state). Or is your complaint that they should have done something less logical to gerrymander a Republican district?

By contrast, compare that to Texas where you have Congressional districts that are almost "C" shaped, with the center carved out, and connected to a portion outside the "C," for a different Congressional District to help create more Republican districts (take a look at the weird shape of districts in the Houston, San Antonio, and DFW areas). Of course, that isn't good enough for Gov. Abbott and the Texas Republicans, as they now feel the need to create even more creative districts, to further ensure Republicans retain control of the state.

Soros-Backed Group, Beto O’Rourke PAC Pick Up Tab For Texas Democrats’ Gerrymandering Stunt

Jesus is the only Way