US House Redistricting: Iowa

[Bacon King]

i'm not sure which is a better idea for democrats:

Drawing four districts horizontally to get rid of king

OR

draw a vote sink district for King to make 3 safe dem districts

They don't really get to pick, for the most part.

[Verily]

And the latter is obviously better anyway as Boswell is a weak incumbent who couldn't beat Latham or King in a relatively marginal district.

[White Cloud]

I like the first map. I think that whatever is decided upon, it should result generally in the division of Iowa into four distinct regions: a northeast district, a southeast district, a Des Moines-based district, and a western district.

The northeast district should include Waterloo, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, and all the rural counties in northeast Iowa.

The southeast district should include Iowa City, Davenport, Burlington, Fort Madison, Clinton, Ottumwa, and all the rural counties in southeast Iowa.

The Des Moines-based district should include Polk County and as many counties around Polk as are needed to reach the necessary population.

The western district should be mostly western Iowa, but will stretch into central Iowa to get population.

The first map does all of that for the most part. Although I would change some things if possible, like adding Dubuque County to the northeast district and taking out the counties south of I-80 and adding those to the southeast district.

Iowa is the best state when it comes to congressional districts. I love how they all follow county lines.

[Landslide Lyndon]

The proposed map is out.

http://www.legis.iowa.gov/DOCS/Resources/Redist/2011/2011-03-31/Plan1_SmallMap_Congress.pdf

It will probably be rejected by Republicans since it puts together King and Latham.

[Gravis Marketing]

That looks like a gift to the Republicans in the western half, at least--it cracks the 5th district's Republicans links Des Moines to conservative areas. I'll bet this makes Boswell even more vulnerable. I don't know if that district overlaps at all with the one he represented in the 1990s.

[krazen1211]

That looks like a gift to the Republicans in the western half, at least--it cracks the 5th district's Republicans links Des Moines to conservative areas. I'll bet this makes Boswell even more vulnerable. I don't know if that district overlaps at all with the one he represented in the 1990s.

District 3 is about 52.5% Bush, but Latham doesn't live there. Hard to see how you fit Story County into that district, though.

I'd probably approve this.

[Gravis Marketing]

The 3rd has no incumbent other than Boswell, who is both weak and has already moved districts once before to represent Des Moines. This sure looks like a fair map and I bet Latham moves if it passes since he has to know he was getting screwed no matter what happens.

ISU represented by Steve King. LOL. Maybe Latham should primary him.

[Landslide Lyndon]

The map also puts together Braley and Loebsack but the latter won't have much of a problem to relocate into the newly created southeastern district.

[freepcrusher]

Boswell basically got the Neal Smith district. The district is similar to the old 4th that was drawn 20 years ago and took in a lot of freeperville areas in southwest Iowa. It led to him being unseated in 1994.

[Landslide Lyndon]

According to Wasserman:

Braley's 1st CD stays 58% Obama, Loebsack's 2nd from 60% to 57%, Boswell's 3rd CD from 54% to 52%, new merged 4th would be 48%.

Approximate new PVIs would be D+5 (1st), D+4 (2nd), R+1 (3rd), R+5 (4th). Overall, great map for Dems, lousy map for GOP.

[Verily]

Boon to generic Republicans, but a curse to the current party as it traps the two incumbent Republicans together. I agree that it will be rejected despite being a relatively friendly map for the GOP.

[MilesC56]

Here's a plan I just drew up; its based on the proposal that came out today.

My goals were to put Boswell and Latham in the same district and move Loebsack back into CD2.

In term of deviations, its actually more accurate than the proposed map.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Cribbing the numbers from SSP:

District    Obama    McCain    Other       Kerry    Bush    Other
IA-01    58.0%    40.1%    1.9%       53.1%    46.1%    0.8%
IA-02    56.6%    41.2%    2.1%       52.5%    46.5%    1.0%
IA-03    51.9%    45.8%    2.3%       47.1%    52.1%    0.8%
IA-04    48.1%    49.8%    2.1%       44.2%    55.0%    0.9%

Looks pretty fair to me. Once Boswell is gone, you get two pretty solid seats for each party.

[Torie]

That looks like a gift to the Republicans in the western half, at least--it cracks the 5th district's Republicans links Des Moines to conservative areas. I'll bet this makes Boswell even more vulnerable. I don't know if that district overlaps at all with the one he represented in the 1990s.

I like the map a lot. I would approve it in a heartbeat. Each party loses a seat in exchange for a marginal one with a GOP lean, probably one destined to grow over time. That seat will elect a Pubbie or house broken Dem. Perfect!  Oh, and that nutter King may be in trouble. Even better! 

[Landslide Lyndon]

That looks like a gift to the Republicans in the western half, at least--it cracks the 5th district's Republicans links Des Moines to conservative areas. I'll bet this makes Boswell even more vulnerable. I don't know if that district overlaps at all with the one he represented in the 1990s.

I like the map a lot. I would approve it in a heartbeat. Each party loses a seat in exchange for a marginal one with a GOP lean, probably one destined to grow over time. That seat will elect a Pubbie or house broken Dem. Perfect!  Oh, and that nutter King may be in trouble. Even better! 

This cuts both ways. In a great year Democrats could win all four seats, especially if Republicans continue to nominate fire-and-brimstone nutters like King.

[cinyc]

That looks like a gift to the Republicans in the western half, at least--it cracks the 5th district's Republicans links Des Moines to conservative areas. I'll bet this makes Boswell even more vulnerable. I don't know if that district overlaps at all with the one he represented in the 1990s.

I like the map a lot. I would approve it in a heartbeat. Each party loses a seat in exchange for a marginal one with a GOP lean, probably one destined to grow over time. That seat will elect a Pubbie or house broken Dem. Perfect!  Oh, and that nutter King may be in trouble. Even better! 

Why is King a "nutter" but not 0 ACU score and 100 ACLU score, 100 AFL-CIO score, etc. uber-liberal David Loebsack?

[Landslide Lyndon]

That looks like a gift to the Republicans in the western half, at least--it cracks the 5th district's Republicans links Des Moines to conservative areas. I'll bet this makes Boswell even more vulnerable. I don't know if that district overlaps at all with the one he represented in the 1990s.

I like the map a lot. I would approve it in a heartbeat. Each party loses a seat in exchange for a marginal one with a GOP lean, probably one destined to grow over time. That seat will elect a Pubbie or house broken Dem. Perfect!  Oh, and that nutter King may be in trouble. Even better! 

Why is King a "nutter" but not 0 ACU score and 100 ACLU score, 100 AFL-CIO score, etc. uber-liberal David Loebsack?

Because Loebsack doesn't have mental health problems?

[cinyc]

That looks like a gift to the Republicans in the western half, at least--it cracks the 5th district's Republicans links Des Moines to conservative areas. I'll bet this makes Boswell even more vulnerable. I don't know if that district overlaps at all with the one he represented in the 1990s.

I like the map a lot. I would approve it in a heartbeat. Each party loses a seat in exchange for a marginal one with a GOP lean, probably one destined to grow over time. That seat will elect a Pubbie or house broken Dem. Perfect!  Oh, and that nutter King may be in trouble. Even better! 

Why is King a "nutter" but not 0 ACU score and 100 ACLU score, 100 AFL-CIO score, etc. uber-liberal David Loebsack?

Because Loebsack doesn't have mental health problems?

Neither does Steve King.

[freepcrusher]

Loebsack also knows when to keep his mouth shut and has done a lot of good community work to help rebuild Cedar Rapids after the flooding. Regardless, I think that Jim Leach was a better fit for that district.

[Landslide Lyndon]

That looks like a gift to the Republicans in the western half, at least--it cracks the 5th district's Republicans links Des Moines to conservative areas. I'll bet this makes Boswell even more vulnerable. I don't know if that district overlaps at all with the one he represented in the 1990s.

I like the map a lot. I would approve it in a heartbeat. Each party loses a seat in exchange for a marginal one with a GOP lean, probably one destined to grow over time. That seat will elect a Pubbie or house broken Dem. Perfect!  Oh, and that nutter King may be in trouble. Even better! 

Why is King a "nutter" but not 0 ACU score and 100 ACLU score, 100 AFL-CIO score, etc. uber-liberal David Loebsack?

Because Loebsack doesn't have mental health problems?

Neither does Steve King.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOrBpTdZ2tc

[Torie]

That looks like a gift to the Republicans in the western half, at least--it cracks the 5th district's Republicans links Des Moines to conservative areas. I'll bet this makes Boswell even more vulnerable. I don't know if that district overlaps at all with the one he represented in the 1990s.

I like the map a lot. I would approve it in a heartbeat. Each party loses a seat in exchange for a marginal one with a GOP lean, probably one destined to grow over time. That seat will elect a Pubbie or house broken Dem. Perfect!  Oh, and that nutter King may be in trouble. Even better! 

Why is King a "nutter" but not 0 ACU score and 100 ACLU score, 100 AFL-CIO score, etc. uber-liberal David Loebsack?

I don't know Loebsack, but I have seen King on the tube, and in political terms, he's nuts - superficial, extreme, often factually errant, and pandering.  He is just not a serious politician. He's a male version of Bachmann. JMO.

[Smash255]

That looks like a gift to the Republicans in the western half, at least--it cracks the 5th district's Republicans links Des Moines to conservative areas. I'll bet this makes Boswell even more vulnerable. I don't know if that district overlaps at all with the one he represented in the 1990s.

I like the map a lot. I would approve it in a heartbeat. Each party loses a seat in exchange for a marginal one with a GOP lean, probably one destined to grow over time. That seat will elect a Pubbie or house broken Dem. Perfect!  Oh, and that nutter King may be in trouble. Even better! 

Why is King a "nutter" but not 0 ACU score and 100 ACLU score, 100 AFL-CIO score, etc. uber-liberal David Loebsack?

King is a nutter because of the absolutely bats*** crazy things that comes out of his mouth.  Torie calling King a male version of  Michelle Bachmann was right on point.

[Iosif]

I met King outside of Congress late one night in 2008. He was very polite and nice until but he abruptly cut our conversation short when he found out of the guys in our group had a Muslim name.

[cinyc]

That looks like a gift to the Republicans in the western half, at least--it cracks the 5th district's Republicans links Des Moines to conservative areas. I'll bet this makes Boswell even more vulnerable. I don't know if that district overlaps at all with the one he represented in the 1990s.

I like the map a lot. I would approve it in a heartbeat. Each party loses a seat in exchange for a marginal one with a GOP lean, probably one destined to grow over time. That seat will elect a Pubbie or house broken Dem. Perfect!  Oh, and that nutter King may be in trouble. Even better! 

Why is King a "nutter" but not 0 ACU score and 100 ACLU score, 100 AFL-CIO score, etc. uber-liberal David Loebsack?

King is a nutter because of the absolutely bats*** crazy things that comes out of his mouth.  Torie calling King a male version of  Michelle Bachmann was right on point.

This is getting far afield from the purpose of this subforum, but I think I've got it.  "Nutter" means outspoken social conservative.  Name a "progressive" nutter.  There are plenty of "progressive" politicians who say stupid, extremist things.

[Smash255]

That looks like a gift to the Republicans in the western half, at least--it cracks the 5th district's Republicans links Des Moines to conservative areas. I'll bet this makes Boswell even more vulnerable. I don't know if that district overlaps at all with the one he represented in the 1990s.

I like the map a lot. I would approve it in a heartbeat. Each party loses a seat in exchange for a marginal one with a GOP lean, probably one destined to grow over time. That seat will elect a Pubbie or house broken Dem. Perfect!  Oh, and that nutter King may be in trouble. Even better! 

Why is King a "nutter" but not 0 ACU score and 100 ACLU score, 100 AFL-CIO score, etc. uber-liberal David Loebsack?

King is a nutter because of the absolutely bats*** crazy things that comes out of his mouth.  Torie calling King a male version of  Michelle Bachmann was right on point.

This is getting far afield from the purpose of this subforum, but I think I've got it.  "Nutter" means outspoken social conservative.  Name a "progressive" nutter.  There are plenty of "progressive" politicians who say stupid, extremist things.

You can be conservative/liberal and even an outspoken one without dreaming up all these weird and wacky extreme conspiracy theories, and without saying utterly crazy things.  Loebsack is indeed quite liberal, but he does't go around making extreme statements.  King basically came to the defense of the terrorist who flew a plane into the IRS building.  He said terrorists would celebrate in the streets if Obama was elected.   He is against gay marriage (fine most conservatives are), but he went into this bizarre end of civilization tangent  He is certified straight jacket material.

FTW, I'm not convinced King would be in all that much trouble in IA-4 on the map, but if it happens to be a bad year for the GOP he could.