Gonzales Defends Approval of Texas Redistricting by Justice
We’re not going to politicize decisions within the department. We’re going to make decisions based on what the law requires.
- US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
Can anyone reasonably claim to be surprised by the news that the 2003 redistricting here in Texas was accomplished in an underhanded, highly political manner? Can there be any doubt that this Administration respects the law only so far as it’s convenient and doesn’t impede the pursuit of their agenda?
In 2003, few things were more important to Tom DeLay, Rick Perry, and the GOP than redistricting Texas Democrats out of the majority of seats they held in the Texas Congressional declaration. Despite attempts by Democrats to stop DeLay and Tom Craddick, in the end Republicans had their majority in the Texas Congressional delegation. The reality that they likely broke the law in doing so is simply an inconvenient cost of doing business. Besides, they’re Republicans, which, as we all know, MEANS NEVER HAVING TO SAY YOU’RE SORRY.
Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales yesterday defended the Justice Department’s 2003 decision to overrule a staff recommendation and approve a congressional redistricting map for Texas, arguing that subsequent court rulings and election results show that the plan did not harm minority voters.
A December 2003 internal memo shows that eight members of the Justice Department’s voting section unanimously concluded that the Texas plan would violate the Voting Rights Act by diluting the electoral power of blacks and Hispanics. Political appointees in the department disagreed and allowed the plan to go forward.
“The fact that there may be disagreement within the ranks does not necessarily make it a wrong decision,” Gonzales said at a briefing with reporters in Washington.
Well, perhaps so, but let’s get real here. Just who do the political appointees owe their jobs to? Well, duh….
Of course, when it comes down to a disagreement between career Justice Department employees and the political hacks, who do you think is going to prevail?
Gonzales disputed allegations from Democratic lawmakers and lawyers that the Texas case provides additional evidence that the department’s work has been politicized during the Bush administration….
The disclosure of the 73-page memo, first reported by The Washington Post yesterday, prompted complaints from Democratic lawmakers in Congress and in Texas.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said the decision was the result of a “contemptible politicization” of the Justice Department. She called for an independent inquiry into the case.
“The Justice Department memo reveals a cynical manipulation of the democratic process designed to deny fair representation to millions of American citizens,” Pelosi said in a statement.
Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) — the former House majority leader who is under indictment in Texas for money laundering and conspiracy — led the efforts of the Texas GOP to redraw that state’s congressional map in 2003. As a result, Texas Republicans gained five congressional seats in the 2004 elections, solidifying their hold on the House.
And apparently politics had NOTHING to do with it. Gee, whodathunkit??
Man, the next thing you know, the Bush Administration will be telling us that the war in Iraq is about fighting terrorism and protecting American freedom and democracy. Or we’ll find out that the military is engaged in paying for positive press in Iraq. Nah, that would never happen…would it??
