What’s the actual significance of the ruling on Virginia redistricting?
After the Virginia Supreme Court struck down on Friday the state’s voter-approved Democratic congressional redistricting plan to counter GOP redistricting, a sampling of online headlines read:
— Associated Press: Virginia Supreme Court strikes down Democrats’ redrawn US House maps, giving Republicans a win
— Washington Post: Virginia’s high court strikes down voter-passed House map favoring Democrats
— Fox News: Virginia Supreme Court tosses Dem-backed redistricting map, upending expected 10–1 edge
— New York Times: In huge blow to Democrats, Virginia court strikes down House map
You know where I’m going with this. Another alarmist headline from the Times. And the body of the article has only one reference to the development as “huge”:
“’Huge win for the Republican Party, and America, in Virginia,’” the president posted on his social media site.”
Another Times headline, on Sunday: “10 days that shook the House map and Democratic confidence.” (The 10 days refer to the Supreme Court’s April 29 ruling on the Voting Rights Act and the Virginia Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday.)
Yet the body of the article says, “Democrats are still widely seen as favored to win the House this fall. Republicans face a daunting political climate, saddled with President Trump’s sagging approval ratings, high gas prices and an unpopular war with Iran. In special elections and last year’s races for governor, Democratic enthusiasm has swamped Republican turnout.”
The article quotes Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., who says, “I was anticipating about a 15-to-20-seat pickup before the last week and a half. Now I would be anticipating a 10-to-15-seat pickup.”
Margaret Sullivan has suggested that Times headlines, especially what she calls the “sane-washing” of Trump — may be an intentional business strategy — “everybody invited in to the big tent.”
If so, I don’t appreciate the Times manipulating your nervous system and mine to bolster its bottom line.
Also in the news
Hungary’s Péter Magyar is sworn in as prime minister, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is giving major speech to try to keep his job after his Labor Party's election losses
Four people convicted of conspiracy in U.S. trial tied to 2021 assassination of Haiti president
Trump rejects Iran response to latest U.S. proposal to end the war
Trump travels to China this week for talks with President Xi on Iran, Taiwan, nuclear weapons, trade, AI
Appeals court blocks 7-day notice of lawmaker visits to immigration detention facilities that Trump administration had sought
Rejecting church and state separation is on the wish list for Trump religious liberty commission
NYTimes investigation: The no-bid contract that’s turning Washington’s Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool blue
What to know about the latest wave of changes to Southern States’ congressional districts
South Carolina Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn remains confident about reelection bid, despite GOP redistricting efforts
Robert Reich on 'the real problem’ of the U.S. national debt now exceeding 100 percent of the country's gross domestic product
Heather Cox Richardson on Putin’s World War II victory commemoration, Magyar’s swearing in as president of Hungary
Experts ask ‘Where is the CDC?’ as hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship unfolds
Trump administration proposes rule to make it easier for employers to offer in vitro fertilization services
You can call the Capitol switchboard, (202) 224-3121, and be connected to the offices of your representative and senators. To email your House member and your two senators, you can connect to their websites at Congress.gov. Most lawmakers seem to only accept emails from their constituents, but these leaders accept emails from Americans nationwide, at:
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer
Senate Majority Leader John Thune