Missouri House Approves Congressional Redistricting Map

On Thursday, The Missouri House of Representatives approved their version of the newest US Congressional District maps for Missouri. Redistricting needs to be done because the State lost a seat in the 2010 Census. Missouri will now have 8 Representatives in Washington DC instead of nine. A district would be lost in the St Louis area, removing one currently Democratic Representative (Probably Russ Carnahan-good riddance). The map has been sent to the Senate for approval.

In the new map, Congressman Cleaver's 5th District will change. It would no longer include any of Cass county, but would add three rural counties to the east of Kansas City. Also added to the 5th, parts of Kansas City and Gladstone north of the river - subtracted would be the Northeastern part of Lee's Summit. Still a majority Democrat district, but not as much so as has been the case. Unfortunately Cleaver is probably safe for the foreseeable future.

Most Democrats in the House were against this redistricting plan arguing that in the best of times for Democrats they could only win 2 of the 8 seats while in general statewide elections Democrats garner around 50% of the votes typically. And of course Jonas Hughes, undoubtedly the DUMBEST member of the Missouri House had something to say as well.

There were also a few Republicans not happy with the map. Those from the three rural counties added to the fifth district were apparently not pleased that a Communist sympathizing, race-baiter will be their new US Congressman. A very similar map will likely be approved by the Senate and go to the Governor for signature. It will be interesting to see if the Democrat Jay Nixon will veto or not.

Emanuel Cleaver Confident in the Face of Redistricting

There is a Federal census every 10 years as mandated in the U. S. Constitution. For those of you that didn't notice, that census was in 2010. The year after the census, State Legislatures must decide if, and how districts should be changed to reflect the changing population centers. Sometimes states even lose or gain seats. That's what is happening in Missouri right now. Starting with the 2012 Congressional elections, Missouri will have 8 Representatives, down from 9 currently.

What does all this mean? The Missouri State Legislature is heavily Republican (roughly two thirds). Locally, it will mean that the seat currently held by my (and your) favorite Congressman will certainly have to be enlarged. That will not be an advantage for the Honorable (cough, cough) Mr. Cleaver. Likely, his district will include more of eastern Jackson County like Blue Springs, Oak Grove, etc - and possibly even parts of the Northland in Kansas City. These areas are heavily more conservative than the inner city where Cleaver currently holds strong support. He may have to actually run on ideas rather than race.

Representative Cleaver, who currently heads the Socialist and Race Baiting Congressional Black Caucus, remains confident about his political future. He probably is safe, The Justice Department will be called on if neccesary to enforce a provision of the Voting Rights Act that virtually assures a majority black district stays that way. But he may have to listen a little harder to all of his constituants, black and white.