Former President Barack Obama has entered the political realm again. This time Obama is joining his former AG Eric Holder to focus on gerrymandering.
According to Fox News:
Former President Barack Obama is back in the political arena, announcing a new initiative to combat partisan gerrymandering — though Republicans say the efforts are really about helping Democrats.
The “Redistricting U” program, which is part of the “All on the Line” campaign, aims to recruit and train individuals to take up the fight against drawing congressional districts based on partisan interests.
Training is at the heart of organizing. It’s why I’ve always made it a priority – from my 2008 campaign until now. And it’s why I’m proud to announce @allontheline’s in-person training initiative, Redistricting U. Join us: https://t.co/yrWJ50wSdE pic.twitter.com/HiKvGd2XyE
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 26, 2019
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Republicans, though, have accused Democrats of making it sound like they want fairness — when in reality they are hoping to place their party in a better position.
If anyone tells you that @EricHolder is “fighting against gerrymandering” and for “fair maps,” just look at the form his organization filed with the IRS. The truth: their mission is to “FAVORABLY POSITION DEMOCRATS FOR THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS.” pic.twitter.com/1f6J2SnIlX
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) August 22, 2019
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The organization is focused on impacting the redrawing of congressional districts, which will take place in 2021 following the collection of data in the 2020 census. They warn against “rigged electoral maps drawn with surgical precision by politicians to preserve their party’s political power and silence the will of the people.”
With Obama and Holder both focusing on gerrymandering it begins to raise the question on how it can help the Democrats. That is the question that will need to be answered before 2020.
