Bob Novak supports Independent Districting


As you may know, Florida is one of the states where attempts to do something about the redistricting mess are proceeding.  Florida's Committee for Fair Elections has the story.

Unfortunately, Governor Jeb Bush opposes the program.  See:  Bush tries to help Calif. do what he doesn't want in Fla.

At the time Gov. Bush was helping Gov. Schwarzenegger raise money in Florida for a similar measure in California but wouldn't support such a measure here.  Do I hear hypocrisy?

In any event, conservative pitbull Bob Novak strongly supported taking redistricting out of the hands of legislatures during Judy Woodruff's Inside Politics, June 10, 2005, CNN.com - Transcripts:
John KING: The "Strategy Session" continues now on INSIDE POLITICS. Still here, two members of the "CAPITAL GANG" Bob Novak and Margaret Carlson.

We move on now to California where Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger not known as a shrinking violet. Now he's about to take one of the biggest gambles of his short political career. He's been stymied by powerful unions and a Democratic-controlled state legislature. So, he plans to call a special election. What the governor wants is to put what he calls special interests in their place. But with his approval rating plunging, has Governor Schwarzenegger finally met his match?

Bob Novak, he will call this special election. He wants to reign in teachers' unions, he wants to stop legislators from drawing their own districts, he wants the power to cut spending in California. Has he overreached?

NOVAK: He may have, but I think -- but I was in California recently, and the politicians I talk to think he's going to win. And despite that, because he's going to go out there and sell it.

It's not a gamble, John, because he doesn't care, you know. He's got all the money in the world. If he doesn't serve another term so what? It's just a wonderful position for a guy in office to be. And the thing I like the most is that he's saying that these corrupt legislators can't draw their own districts.

I think even Margaret will agree with me that it's absolutely a disgrace that they drew these districts so no outsiders can do it. They did it with a computer so that these districts meander and gerrymander all around and they're absolutely unbeatable.

CARLSON: I so totally agree with you, Bob. I'm completely with you on that.
Now isn't that something?  It certainly sounds like the kind of endorsement which would help sell the Fair Elections proposal here in Florida.  That certainly validates it as a non-partisan program.

Now if we can get it applied in every state. . . .  Common Cause is promoting the plan in other states.