Alex Witt, MSNBC’s weekend anchor, made the most of her partisanship on Sunday by dedicating a segment about Texas Republicans making it harder for two House Democrats get reelected. This drew them into one district in Houston. Witt exclaimed that both Democrats were “outstanding” and “so devoted” and it made her sound like DNC TV.
Surprised to learn that MSNBC Republican Susan del Percio informed viewers that this new version will be more gerrymandered then the original district,
Witt accused Republicans of “gerrymandering” and began segment by hyping complaints from Democrats.
New reaction today to gerrymandering plans being laid out across the country. Lawsuits and other challenges are emerging as states embark on the first redistricting in decades that does not require approval from the Department of Justice. In many states, GOP-controlled legislatures are breaking up black and brown communities that previously voted together. In the case of Houston, Texas, two black House Democrats are being pitted against each other.
Next came Sheila Jackson Lee, Democratic Congresswoman.
This map was drawn by outside Republican operative directed by the GOP congressional delegation who promised they would engage with us as they have done in the past. To see this district that had been together for 50 years demolished by this state senate, insensitive in putting my dear friend Al Green and myself in the same district.
Turning to one of her guests, Democratic strategist Don Calloway, the MSNBC host cued him up to complain about the new lines: “Don, why break up these Houston districts that are so symbolic when it comes to representation of black Texans in Congress?”
Calloway said that Republicans were trying to reduce minority representation and then praises the two Democrats, Lee and Al Green. They will need to compete against each other.
[Y]ou’re taking out at least one of two really dynamic, really vocal, really experienced good legislators in Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green, both of whom have substantial tenure and power on the Hill. So by making them go against each other, you’re eliminating substantial power for those districts in the state of Texas, but it’s a partisan play to continue to tip Texas more in favor of Republicans electorally.
Witt spoke like she lived in Houston, and would have to pick one. She lamented that she hated having to vote against them because both are outstanding, dedicated, and (to your point) so experienced.
When it was her turn to speak, del Percio broke form as an MSNBC Republican who typically just agrees with liberal premises and actually admitted that the old district is more oddly drawn than the new one: “Looks like the Texas legislature is just playing hardball, and I will say this. When you compare the two districts, the current one is clearly gerrymandered. It runs north-west along a narrow line.
After lamenting the targeting of two Democratic incumbents, she admitted that Democrats are redrawing New York’s districts to target Republicans.
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The following is a transcription:
MSNBC’s Alex Witt Reports
October 10, 2021
Eastern 12:47
ALEX WITT: New reaction today to gerrymandering plans being laid out across the country. Lawsuits and other challenges are emerging as states embark on the first redistricting in decades that does not require approval from the Department of Justice. In many states, GOP-controlled legislatures are breaking up black and brown communities that previously voted together. In the case of Houston, Texas, two black House Democrats are being pitted against each other.
CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE (D-TX): This map was drawn by outside Republican operative directed by the GOP congressional delegation who promised they would engage with us as they have done in the past. To see this district that had been together for 50 years demolished by this state senate, insensitive in putting my dear friend Al Green and myself in the same district.
(…)
WITT: Don, why break up these Houston districts that are so symbolic when it comes to representation of black Texans in Congress?
DON CALLOWAY, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: To dilute minority representation — to dilute student representation — representation from groups of people who are more likely to vote Democratic. This is absolutely an intentional partisan effort to not only break up districts that would be likely to vote Democratic, thus making them more competitive, particularly in suburban areas for the Republican vote.
Not only that, you’re taking out at least one of two really dynamic, really vocal, really experienced good legislators in Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green, both of whom have substantial tenure and power on the Hill. So by making them go against each other, you’re eliminating substantial power for those districts in the state of Texas, but it’s a partisan play to continue to tip Texas more in favor of Republicans electorally.
WITT: I have to say that I dislike having to choose between them. They are outstanding people, so dedicated and, you’re right, so knowledgeable. Susan, you heard one of them, the congresswoman there, saying that the GOP has engaged with Democrats in the past when redrawing district lines. Now what?
SUSAN DEL PERCIO, MSNBC CONTRIBUTOR: Looks like the Texas legislature is just playing hardball, and I will say this. When you compare the two districts, the current one is clearly gerrymandered. It is clear that there is a thin line running north-west. However, it’s something that can be used to target two members of Congress.
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