I wish a Democratic pundit would focus on this issue

[thucythucy]

Yesterday I saw a long discussion on Meet the Press Daily about Democratic changes for retaking the House.

It was mentioned several times that Democrats need to poll at least seven percent more than Republicans on average in order to have even a shot on picking up enough seats to regain the House. In other words, Democrats have to poll something like 53% of the vote, at the very least, in order to garner 50% of House seats.

This is a disconnect built into the system that is inherently unfair and small "d" undemocratic. I wish someone would at least mention this at some time during these various discussions. It is, of course, the result of Republican gerrymandering and gaming the system, and Democrats IMHO ought to bring this up whenever possible.

Maybe if enough of us stress this point it might actually start to happen.

Thanks.

[NCTraveler]

1. I would have to see where each seat is and how they come to the number.

Is also referencing a gaining of ground at the local level while using one generic number.

[thucythucy]

2. I didn't hear any explanation of how this number is derived

but heard it repeated again and again.

Admittedly, each House race is different with differing issues and ground games, but the overall consensus seems to be that Democrats have to way outperform Republicans just to break even.

To me this indicates some major dysfunction in our system. I suspect it has to do with how House districts are drawn--with a disproportionate weight given to more rural (red) voters as opposed to more urban (blue) voters. This works directly against the whole idea of "one person, one vote" and would seem unconstitutional on the face of it.

As I said, I wish there was more focus on this issue--an attempt at least to point out how unfair this is to city dwellers who have, or should have, an equal right to Congressional representation.

[NCTraveler]

3. Just the fact it is being referenced in gaining seats....

tells me it should be a positive number.

That alone puts the correlation being made into question.

Please don't get me wrong, I take gerrymandering very seriously. I just don't think this number directly correlates to it alone.

[thucythucy]

4. Could be.

But then I wish someone during these discussions would at least question the premise. It just seemed to be accepted as common knowledge that unless the polling shows generic Dems up by at least seven points over generic Repubs, the Democrats have little or no hope in taking the House.

Stuff like that makes me want to yell at my TV.

Best wishes.