By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Texas Democrats are claiming a win in their redistricting battle with Republicans, indicating they may return to the state if the special session adjourns on Friday. Democrats stated they have “killed this corrupt special session,” though plans could shift based on GOP strategy. Governor Greg Abbott plans to call a new special session immediately, while Attorney General Ken Paxton seeks to expel several Democrats. Democrats from other states have warned they will seek to redistrict their own states if Texas Republicans continue with their initiative.
Read the original article here
Dems Claim Victory In Texas Redistricting Clash: ‘Killed This Corrupt Special Session’
So, the word on the street is that Democrats in Texas are claiming victory after managing to disrupt the recent special session on redistricting. The vibe is celebratory, with statements like “killed this corrupt special session” echoing across the political landscape. Now, this feels like a big deal, but let’s be real, there’s a healthy dose of skepticism mixed in with the cheers. This whole situation has been a whirlwind of political maneuvering, and it seems like the Democrats managed to throw a wrench in the gears of the Republican’s plans. But let’s not forget, these are the same Republicans who play by their own rules, so we have to ask ourselves, is this truly a win, or just a temporary reprieve?
The immediate takeaway is that the Democrats, by taking a stand and leaving the state, seemingly prevented the Republicans from pushing through their desired redistricting maps. This is being seen as a significant blow, as gerrymandering, the practice of manipulating district boundaries to favor a particular party, is a tool used by Republicans to maintain power in Texas and beyond. The Democrats are, in effect, saying, “we’re not going to let you get away with this,” which is a powerful message. However, the question remains: Is this truly the end of the line, or is this merely a tactical retreat by the Republicans?
The consensus seems to be that the Republicans are not going to sit back and let this stand. The general expectation is that the Texas governor, who has the power to call special sessions, will try again. Some comments suggest they will try to force the Democrats back, by any means necessary. This could include calling yet another special session, using law enforcement to compel their presence, or even attempting to financially cripple them. The underlying concern is the potential for abuse of power, and the lengths to which Republicans might go to achieve their goals.
The discussion has brought up the issue of the governor’s power to call special sessions. It’s been pointed out that there are limits to what can be discussed, but also that the governor can call them as often as needed, as long as the regular legislative session is out. Some are saying this ability, coupled with the Republicans’ determination to reshape the electoral map, creates a recipe for more conflict. The Democrats need to stay out of the state, at least until after the midterms. They’ve already threatened to “charge” them fines, fees, billing, etc for the people working OT and everything else, so financial ruin might be the name of the game.
There is some optimism, however, that the Democrats’ actions have made a difference. Some are hopeful that this is a real victory. There are comments suggesting that the Democrats “punched a hole” in what is perceived as a Republican attempt to establish single-party rule. The sentiment is that the Democrats have at least temporarily thwarted the Republican’s plans, and that is worth celebrating. However, the emphasis on not being “arrested” speaks volumes. The Republicans’ tactics will be vicious, and they will go below the belt with every dirty trick.
Some have also mentioned the need for Democrats in other states, like California and New York, to also address their own gerrymandering issues. It’s a reminder that the fight for fair representation extends beyond Texas. The feeling is that the battle in Texas is part of a broader struggle for the future of American democracy. The Dems have to stay vigilant, it will be a long fight. It is important to remember that early celebrations should be tempered with the realization that this is a war, not just a single battle.
The prevailing view is that the Democrats have bought themselves some time and forced the Republicans to adjust their strategy. The question now becomes, how will the Democrats use this time? Will they continue to fight from outside the state, or will they return and try to negotiate? What will happen next? The stakes are high, and the fight for fair elections is far from over. The Republicans will try to bankrupt and ruin them financially and other ways. They’ve had a while. The FBI (who shouldn’t even be involved) knows how to find them. I think they backed off due to Newsom.
This is the most obvious trap that I’ve ever seen. They also are threatening to suspend/freeze their funding as well. Once they are home, Abbott is going to post state patrol at their doors then call another special session and have them “escorted” in. Don’t know why you’ve got people working over time when they aren’t in session.