While I support the AI regulations, the gerrymandering by the Right and the Left is abhorrent. Let’s hope the House doesn’t cave to DeSantis on that one tomorrow.
I never ceases to amaze me the things Desantis likes to put in his mouth. Which part of Trump you want to imagine, feel free. Given all yhe nasty talk back during the presdental races you woulf think he had even a shred of dignity. But alas, not in Florida.
Another grreat column, J.C., but do you really think DeSantis is game-planning for a presidenetial run in 2028? He didn't exactly set the world on fire in 2024. In fact, I can't recall a single thing he did that got him good press attention. I remember one of the beauty queens at Fox News commenting that he always had a sour look on his face. I do recall him saying a president should never be aftraid to use the powers of the presidency beyond the commonly accepted ways. Trump must have paid attention to him on that one. Shades of the 2025 manifesto.
Do I? Actually, I think it would be idiotic, which is why it is possible, and there is a fair bit of speculation in that direction. The egos of these lame-os never cease to amaze...
I am a Floridian. Born and raised in central Florida. I am 69 years old and I have never been exposed to this much total disregard for our States/Federal Constitution and the rights of the citizens of the United States. This is not a right vs left party totally ignoring the laws set in place to protect and serve everyone who lives here. This pertains to certain government officials elected by the people to listen, serve, protect and provide a better tomorrow than we have today. However, as I read your articles all I see are men in power acting like dictators, making up their own rules without any consequences from the majority of Congress and Florida Legislators from both sides. Now is the time to put differences aside and take back control with the cooperation of both parties coming together to demand through legal actions that our Constitution be upheld and that the officials acting illegally be held accountable.
Governor Ron DeSantis' attempt to showboat his new Republican centered gerrymandering of districts on Fox News without first even consulting with the legislature is an old school coercive tactic where political manipulation and pressure, frequently described in terms of “Setting the Narrative” is used. As an “Old School” Boston Attorney who has been around politics his entire adult life, this is nothing new but can be very effective. The idea is a proactive framing technique used by a politician who announces an opponent's future actions to make that action unavoidable. Originally, this was used in politics to describe using public pressure to force a political opponent to behave a certain way. When you publicize to the voting public a certain action you have taken it forces the opponent or another public figure in a position to meaningfully oppose it to have to respond to the announcer's narrative, rather than setting their own agenda.
As stated: “Florida is already one of the most heavily gerrymandered states in the nation with, the vast majority of congressional districts are drawn to favor Republicans—20 out of 28. [This, even though ] the G.O.P voter registration in the state is not nearly that proportionally dominant.”
Considering, that Florida’s redistricting process is governed by the state constitution, which requires that congressional districts not be drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor a political party or incumbent and that districts comply with traditional redistricting criteria unless those criteria conflict with federal law or minority-rights protections, the Courts are most likely to strike any such move down should it ever get past the legislature.
Florida courts have enforced those limits and have held that evidence of partisan intent can taint both the plan and any derivation as a whole.
Any effort to present or defend a new map as a partisan accomplishment before the Legislature has fully exercised its constitutional role raises serious process concerns. Florida law gives the Legislature the primary responsibility for drawing congressional districts, subject to constitutional constraints and judicial review.[1]
Florida’s current redistricting history also shows that maps drawn or defended on the basis of partisan advantage have previously been invalidated under the Fair Districts Amendments. For that reason, the proper focus should be on whether any proposed redistricting plan complies with Florida’s constitutional standards, not on whether it maximizes one party’s electoral advantage.
If the Governor believes redistricting changes are warranted, the appropriate course is a transparent legislative process that allows public scrutiny, respects the Legislature’s constitutional role, and adheres to the Fair Districts requirements adopted by Florida voters.
The Governor's legal team should bear in mind, Florida’s Fair Districts Amendments do not merely require “reasonable” maps. They constitutionally forbid drawing districts with partisan intent, protect minority electoral opportunity, require contiguity, and impose compactness and boundary-respect obligations unless those yield to higher constitutional or federal requirements.
The term "dummymander" was never more appropriate.
Even his Dear Leader calls him a meathead…
While I support the AI regulations, the gerrymandering by the Right and the Left is abhorrent. Let’s hope the House doesn’t cave to DeSantis on that one tomorrow.
I never ceases to amaze me the things Desantis likes to put in his mouth. Which part of Trump you want to imagine, feel free. Given all yhe nasty talk back during the presdental races you woulf think he had even a shred of dignity. But alas, not in Florida.
Look where Rick Scott the biggest fraud of Medicare is…smh.
He is the more garden variety of evil corpo guys. I haven't seen quite as much of the boot polish on his lips yet.
DeSantis will do whatever he can if he thinks it will harm voters of color and/or Democrats. Anything to please his god/king - DJT.
The 🍊 🤡 won't f*ck him no matter how much he wants it
Another grreat column, J.C., but do you really think DeSantis is game-planning for a presidenetial run in 2028? He didn't exactly set the world on fire in 2024. In fact, I can't recall a single thing he did that got him good press attention. I remember one of the beauty queens at Fox News commenting that he always had a sour look on his face. I do recall him saying a president should never be aftraid to use the powers of the presidency beyond the commonly accepted ways. Trump must have paid attention to him on that one. Shades of the 2025 manifesto.
Do I? Actually, I think it would be idiotic, which is why it is possible, and there is a fair bit of speculation in that direction. The egos of these lame-os never cease to amaze...
Finally someone grew a conscience? Let’s hope it stands up to the bad coloring job.
I am a Floridian. Born and raised in central Florida. I am 69 years old and I have never been exposed to this much total disregard for our States/Federal Constitution and the rights of the citizens of the United States. This is not a right vs left party totally ignoring the laws set in place to protect and serve everyone who lives here. This pertains to certain government officials elected by the people to listen, serve, protect and provide a better tomorrow than we have today. However, as I read your articles all I see are men in power acting like dictators, making up their own rules without any consequences from the majority of Congress and Florida Legislators from both sides. Now is the time to put differences aside and take back control with the cooperation of both parties coming together to demand through legal actions that our Constitution be upheld and that the officials acting illegally be held accountable.
DeSantis is not kissing Trumps Ring, DeSantis is licking Trump's rectum.
Vote no on gerrymandering!
What about: he made it deliberately exaggerated so that it would fail, but that he would get credit (hah!) for trying?
Nah: he’s just suffering from a DDT infection.
Governor Ron DeSantis' attempt to showboat his new Republican centered gerrymandering of districts on Fox News without first even consulting with the legislature is an old school coercive tactic where political manipulation and pressure, frequently described in terms of “Setting the Narrative” is used. As an “Old School” Boston Attorney who has been around politics his entire adult life, this is nothing new but can be very effective. The idea is a proactive framing technique used by a politician who announces an opponent's future actions to make that action unavoidable. Originally, this was used in politics to describe using public pressure to force a political opponent to behave a certain way. When you publicize to the voting public a certain action you have taken it forces the opponent or another public figure in a position to meaningfully oppose it to have to respond to the announcer's narrative, rather than setting their own agenda.
As stated: “Florida is already one of the most heavily gerrymandered states in the nation with, the vast majority of congressional districts are drawn to favor Republicans—20 out of 28. [This, even though ] the G.O.P voter registration in the state is not nearly that proportionally dominant.”
Considering, that Florida’s redistricting process is governed by the state constitution, which requires that congressional districts not be drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor a political party or incumbent and that districts comply with traditional redistricting criteria unless those criteria conflict with federal law or minority-rights protections, the Courts are most likely to strike any such move down should it ever get past the legislature.
Florida courts have enforced those limits and have held that evidence of partisan intent can taint both the plan and any derivation as a whole.
Any effort to present or defend a new map as a partisan accomplishment before the Legislature has fully exercised its constitutional role raises serious process concerns. Florida law gives the Legislature the primary responsibility for drawing congressional districts, subject to constitutional constraints and judicial review.[1]
Florida’s current redistricting history also shows that maps drawn or defended on the basis of partisan advantage have previously been invalidated under the Fair Districts Amendments. For that reason, the proper focus should be on whether any proposed redistricting plan complies with Florida’s constitutional standards, not on whether it maximizes one party’s electoral advantage.
If the Governor believes redistricting changes are warranted, the appropriate course is a transparent legislative process that allows public scrutiny, respects the Legislature’s constitutional role, and adheres to the Fair Districts requirements adopted by Florida voters.
The Governor's legal team should bear in mind, Florida’s Fair Districts Amendments do not merely require “reasonable” maps. They constitutionally forbid drawing districts with partisan intent, protect minority electoral opportunity, require contiguity, and impose compactness and boundary-respect obligations unless those yield to higher constitutional or federal requirements.