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Political Hay
Redistricting Reform, California Style
The right hand giveth; the left hand taketh away.
In November 2008 California voters passed Proposition 11, which took away from the state legislature the power to reapportion itself every 10 years and gave it to a new citizen commission. In a state where no incumbent had lost in the last decade and where the legislature’s approval rating was stuck at 16 percent, this seemed like manna from heaven. It did not seem so to the special interests — particularly the state’s public employee unions — who depend upon a pliant legislature to keep the money trough full.
The Citizens Redistricting Commission, which will also redraw congressional districts, was chosen through a multi-step screening process of several thousand applications until 14 finalists were chosen by the State Auditor: 5 Democrats, 5 Republicans, and 4 independents or members of other parties. Their charge was to make all districts more or less equal in population and to avoid the tortured gerrymandering practiced by the majority Democrats in the legislature over the last two census cycles.
A new day of competitive legislative races was about to dawn. Or was it? Someone must draw the actual maps for the many districts and the commission called for bids. The winning bid went to Q2, a small firm based in Berkeley that had what Sacramento Bee political writer Dan Walters called “indirect, but unmistakable ties to Democrats.” The head of the firm, Karin MacDonald, also is the head of the Statewide Database, the data bank used for redistricting. It, in turn, was created by one Professor Bruce Cain in 1981 when he worked as a consultant to the State Assembly’s Democrats. Cain is a co-owner of Q2.
When the commission’s staff developed the specifications for bids they called for bidders to show experience in Metropolitan Statistical Areas, large urban areas defined by the U.S. Census. At the last minute, the staff changed the specification to read “experience in a large incorporated city.” Q2 could not have qualified under the original specification, but could under the revised one. If you are beginning to think there is something rotten in Denmark, you’re right.
The other bidder was the Rose Institute of Claremont McKenna College in Southern California. It has ties to Republicans. Both bidders were asked to identify all sources of income over the previous five years. This was easy for small Q2, but Rose is part of a large institution that has hundreds of donors whose identity cannot be disclosed under IRS regulations. Rose certified that it had no supporters who posed a conflict of interest. Not enough, the commission said and disqualified them.
That the commission supinely accepted this slight-of-hand reflects its ideological bias As the Auditor, a political appointee, was sifting through the applications, racial and ethnic activists were building pressure to make sure that representation of what they called “underrepresented minorities” would be the commission’s primary objective over competitiveness.
While the commission is supposed to be comprised of “impartial” members, Tony Quinn, a long-time Sacramento observer, says that four of the five Democrats are very ideological; two of five Republicans haven’t a clue about the state’s complexity; and three of the four independents are not registered with a party because the Democratic Party isn’t far enough left for them.
Add to this recipe for bias the fact that the Secretary of State, an elected Democrat, had her office select the commission’s staff. The opaque selection process produced an executive director, Daniel Claypool, who, on his Facebook page, calls himself “a progressive Democrat.”
There is one glimmer of hope for some fairness in the redistricting process. Census data just released shows that many districts in the huge Central Valley have populations well above the ideal average, while many on the coast, especially around San Francisco and Los Angeles, are below it. This should have the effect for consolidating some coastal districts in order to add more in the valley. The coast tends to be liberal; the valley more conservative. Nevertheless, it is well to remember what the French say, “The more things change, they more they stay the same.”
About the Author
Peter Hannaford was closely associated for a number of years with the late President Reagan, beginning in the California Governor’s office. His latest book is Presidential Retreats.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (26) | Leave a comment
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Sean| 3.28.11 @ 6:14AM
The whole concept of taking things and giving them to nonpartial commissions is pretty stupid. Almost everyone has some kind of ideological bent. Those that don't lean anywhere are probably spending their time watching American Idol and are not going to apply for the commission. Those accepting and approving application are also ideological.
Dave | 3.28.11 @ 9:49AM
This is, no doubt, kind of obvious to those who read many of the well reasoned postings on this site. But just in case it managed to get by someone -- allow me to point out that what's being pushed for in the former Golden State is what's being hammered through in states all across the remaining 49: Push the bulk of the sheep into a government union or some kind of program(s) where (said) sheep are dependent on what the government "gives them" -- then each election cycle who do you think will win the majority of the hanging chads?
Yep, those controlling the government purse strings. It's really no tougher to figure out than that.
Once the socialists Outer Limits goal of "we control the horizontal, we control the vertical" is in place -- chance are dimmer than dim that, unless he's pro union, IN a union or in favor of more government handouts -- Donald Duck couldn't get himself elected Mayor of Disneyland.
See, in California -- it's waaay past 1984.
Can you hear me, George?
tick-tick-tick ...
Missouri David| 3.28.11 @ 7:55PM
I wonder where did I read that a liberal doesn't know what truth is, and when confronted with truth, Screams bias and blasphemy!!!? Spiritual things are Spiritually discerned, and liars love darkness and shadows!
Thanks and Merry Christmas
PCPSmoker| 3.28.11 @ 6:26AM
Thank you for the article. Very insightful. All in all Ca residents deserve the usual trickery of the Left. All in all, matters like these should be left to representatives and not bureaucratic and unresponsive groups.
dudette| 3.28.11 @ 6:39AM
and what can be done right now to change the process? I am ready to take the gaspipe
Who Knows?| 3.28.11 @ 6:45AM
Remember the golden rule---who owns the gold, rules.
In the Golden State of California, when it comes to institutionalized politics, there’s no doubt who has the gold!
Fool’s GOLD!
JimmyMac| 3.28.11 @ 8:20AM
Sadly, California is beyond hope. The only thing a Californian can do now is leave the state as my wife and I did a little less than a year ago. We got tired of footing the bill for the public sector unions and the education of illegals, so we cashed in our chips and moved out, taking my business with us. Looking back at the November election in which Californians chose more of the same, we have no regrets.
H Hamilton| 3.28.11 @ 10:09AM
I'm with you JimmyMac. My husband and I moved back to AZ from California and took our business with us. Now to keep AZ from being changed like CA, thank you Jan Brewer and Sherrif Joe.
PCP Smoker| 3.28.11 @ 6:58PM
Not kidding, but you two should collaborate on an article about having to leave one state for another.
It would be illuminating to see the welfare state's gory details
Ken in Tyler| 3.28.11 @ 8:37AM
Jimmy Mac, this is precisely why the libs are so hell-bent on squashing State sovereignty. Make-em all the same through taxation, regulation inane SCOTUS dictates and it will leave nowhere to escape their suffocating tyranny within our borders. Then where will lovers of Liberty run?
Eric Cartman| 3.28.11 @ 9:13AM
I think it's a good idea. For example, can we - the rest of normal America - create a commission that redistricts California out of the Union? Just sayin.
Mitch Angoop| 3.28.11 @ 10:27AM
Since the readers of American Spectator tend to be way above 'average' intelligence, except for the visiting trolls, I'll pose the easy question: Does anybody think that the democrats will ever pay attention to the rule of law unless they can invoke it to gain an advantage?
The democratic party has morphed into a communistic, totalitarian monster with only one objective: The acquisition, and use, of power. They care nothing for any aspect of America that once made this the greatest force for good in the history of humanity. These people are rapidly approaching the status of the hitlers and stalins in their insatiable quest for the power to crush anybody, or anything, that presents the most insignificant threat to their evil mission.
As events are proving in Wisconsin, democrats, and their equally evil comrads in the public employees unions, see elections and the rule of law as minor speed bumbs to be run over when they present any obstacle. They must be crushed with any means at our disposal. Not only are THEY advocating violence, but they understand that the vast majority of Americans are NOT disposed toward it. That is their strength and our weakness. It is time to crush them; with power, if necessary. They are already proving daily that elections are of no consequence unless they win, by any means possible. We are running out of time. No sane American can truthfully state that they have not seen the lengths to which these evil criminals will go. They must be stopped, if necessary by the use of the same tactics they themselves advocate...and demonstrate daily.
Think Again| 3.28.11 @ 12:33PM
Most in the Democratic party are not this well thought out. If in unions, they vote for the party that supplies the unions. If they are on public assistance, they vote for the party that keeps the trough full. Unfortunately, not much deeper thinking than this.
Former Californian| 3.28.11 @ 4:13PM
They do it because they get away with it, period.
The sheeple are too busy finding out what Jenny's post on Facebook says about her new BFF to worry about the buggering they're about to take. Not enough people will care until it's too late.
George S| 3.28.11 @ 10:40AM
I cannot understand why CA can pass propositions but cannot vote out Democrats. Only by changing party control of the legislature can redistricting occur. Now even that is gone because of Prop 11. There truly is no hope for CA
Jeff| 3.28.11 @ 2:41PM
As a long-time suffering Californian, I can tell you that the California Republican party doesn't offer much of an alternative to the Democrats. Carly Fiorina was a good candidate, but Meg Whitman and some of the other state-wide office seekers were embarrassments. After 20 or more years of decline, many of the conservatives and moderates have left the state. The remaining population is liberal. Case study #1 - Barbara Boxer re-elected to a 4th term by a sizable plurality.
emo| 3.28.11 @ 5:42PM
But youll notice that Fiorina and Whitman got about the same % of the vote. Good or bad, liberal, moderate or conservative, the GOP statewide candidates in CA get about 42-44%.
Jeff| 3.28.11 @ 5:46PM
You are absolutely right. It was an across the board wipe-out regardless of the qualities of the candidates. It was the most depressing election I can remember.
Irish22| 3.28.11 @ 12:24PM
I tried to get on the commission, but they had enough old, white, males already. In reading the preparatory literature it became quite clear that "fairness" was to be subordinated to "underrepresented minorities." Enough said!
Jeff| 3.28.11 @ 12:41PM
I was one of the applicants for the commission and followed the selection process with interest. In a random reviewing of the applications of some of the 120 candidates who were selected for interviews, I was surprised at how many either were government employees or had connections with government. Ethnic diversity and government experience seemed to be major factors in the selection. Many of the selected candidates also expressed their essays that they were not disinterested in the outcome of the redistricting process.
I voted for Proposition 11 because we didn't have much to lose. The politicians are the last people we can trust for a fair drawing the lines. But I realize that any system can be rigged. As Stalin said, I don't care who votes, only who counts the votes.
The pessimists may very well be right. Things are getting worse and worse in California. I hope that the Commission will do a good job and will keep an open mind until they release their plans in September. However, you will not lose money in betting on more disappointment coming from Sacramento.
Oregonian| 3.28.11 @ 3:18PM
"Turn out the lights; the party's over
They say that all good things must end.
Let's call it a night; the party's over
And tomorrow starts that same old song again."
"If tomorrow never comes, will she (California) know how much we loved her?"
Willie and Garth in a tribute to the state that was California
Cincinnatus Publius| 3.28.11 @ 4:09PM
I believe it may be time for a new constitutional amendment, whereby a majority of the states can petition to expel another. California would be a candidate. It no longer deserves to be part of the ome of the free and the brave.
Richard Baker| 3.28.11 @ 7:11PM
California is an open sewer laboratory, as is Illinois, as to what happens when the barely lucid achieve political power. What makes it even more amazing is that these mental "giants" seem to think, I'm guessing, that they and their families won't be affected by the insanity which they pursue. Maybe we should set the Border Patrol and a huge team of shrinks on the California border and sort out the sane from the average Californian as they attempt to leave and allow only the sane to exit. Remember the Kurt Russell movie "Escape from New York?" How about a sequel "Escape from the Land of the Fruits and Nuts?"
Marc Jeric| 3.28.11 @ 11:59PM
I escaped California the first time when Moonbeam Brown was a governor. Then I came back when Reagan was governor. After Reagan I saw no other way but to escape forever - to Spain, Georgia, South Carolina, finally to Nevada. Go to hell California! Join North Korea!
Jon| 4.1.11 @ 1:40PM
Marc,
Do you mean you went back when Reagan was President? Reagan was CA Governor before Gov. Moonbeam but after Moonbeam's dad.
Creative Recreation | 8.10.11 @ 11:21PM
is good