Some of you might remember the memorable postings from Wirt about the
Texas 'rats in the state legislature who stood up "for the people" by
running away to Oklahoma (state house 'rats) and subsequently to New
Mexico (state senate 'rats.)

Wirt waxed eloquent about how this was the finest example of, something
or other.  I don't quite remember.

To refresh everyone's memory, the 'rats ran away because they did not
want to vote on the Texas redistricting for elections.  You see some
years back, the 'rats ran Texas, occupying most of the statewide offices
and had majorities in the state senate and the state house.  At that
time, they used their power to gerrymander the districts, to the point
where even now that Texas does not have a single 'rat in a statewide
office and the state senate and house are overwhelmingly non-'rat (i.e.
Republicans,) the Texas congressional delegation in Washington is 17
'rats and 15 Republicans.  The two US Senators are Republicans and have
been for a while.  No amount of gerrymandering can affect the senate
seats, they are statewide.  You should also know that Bush carried his
home state of Texas, by a lopsided majority.  (Please note that if Gore
had carried his home state of Tennessee, he would be President Gore.
Thank you, Tennessee.)

At any rate, the Republicans have also gerrymandered the districts and
this was approved by the house and senate and just before Christmas, by
the DOJ.  Of course, the 'rats ran to the courts.  This past weekend,
one of the Republican candidates for the new district, of which I am a
part, stopped by the house to ask for my support. After grilling him for
a few minutes, I pointed out that redistricting was still in court, and
that perhaps it was a bit early to spend money running in a district
that may be struck down by the courts.

He replied that it was just a formality and that he was running as hard
as he could.

Today, the courts ruled and he was right.  Here is a link.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory/2338771

The upshot of this is there will be a 10 to 14 seat swing to the
Republicans in Congress in the November election.  (It will take 5 to 7
seats away from the 'rats and give them to the Republicans, that's a 10
to14 seat swing.)

Also, now 5 'rat US Senators from the South have decided they were not
running for re-election in November.  The Republicans stand a good
chance to pick up most if not all of these seats.

As for the presidency, the current front-runner for the 'rat party makes
Bill Clinton appear to be a Vulcan when it comes to telling the truth.
The food fight within the 'rat party will be something to behold.
Whoever wins that nomination will be in sorry shape to face Bush in
November.

As the 'rats approach their greatest defeat and near extinction, the
attacks are going to be bloody.

2004 is going to be a tumultuous year.  At least in the political arena.

Denys

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