"Bipartisanship"

Jeremy over at Charging RINO has a worthwhile update on redistricting reform efforts taking place around the country. He's done a good job on keeping people informed and since redistricting is one way we can end some of the bitter partisianship taking place in national politics these days, it's an issue all centrists should take part of.

Jeremy focuses on efforts taking place in Ohio. A group called Reform Ohio Now is calling for changes in the Buckeye State's election system. Jeremy does a good job of explaining their proposals as well as his criticisms of which I agree. What is interesting to me is that makeup of this group. Reform Ohio Now bills itself as a non-partisan group. Yet, a look at the various groups that support this effort and you notice that the majority of them tend to be on the political left. I see no centrist or even conservative groups listed or even groups that are truly non-partisan, like the League of Women Voters. Throw in the fact that as Jeremy reports, that they believe the redistricting effort should have some kind of "statewide partisan balance" and you wonder how beneficient this gesture is.

I don't have a problem with left leaning organizations taking part. In fact, I'm glad they are there. What concerns me is that on an issue so important as this, that affects everyone, I would think you would want to make sure that this is truly a bi or multi partisan effort. Surely there have to be centrists in Ohio who find this an important issue. I have no idea if this is a really just an attempt to get more Democrats elected in Ohio or if this a serious attempt towards real change in the way we elect or representatives. But from my viewpoint it appears to be a partisan attempt dressed up in non partisan garb and because of that whomever is running RON's pr needs to do some damage control pronto.

I support changing the way we reaaportion our districts. For far too long, the people in Washington has been able to choose the voters instead of the other way around. (Witness Tom Delay's brutal power grab last year.) The parties have been good at creating safe districts that produce candidates who don't believe they ever have to compromise. This practice has effectively destroyed the pragmatic center of both parties.

But change has to come from people who are willing to put their nation above party. Maybe RON is doing that, but until they get support from a larger field, I have my doubts.

At least RON is a real group. My own party has some great examples of "bi-partisan groups" that are nothing more than front groups for the GOP. Both John Cole and Joe Gandleman have the skinny.