'a Responsible Approach': Obama Backs California's Response To Texas Redistricting

Former President Barack Obama is backing California’s scheme to antagonistic mid-decade redistricting efforts by Republicans successful Texas.

At a fundraising arena Tuesday nighttime for nan National Democratic Redistricting Committee, Obama said nan statement needs to "respond effectively" to Republican attempts to gerrymander.

“I’ve had to wrestle pinch my preference, which would beryllium that we don’t person governmental gerrymandering, but what I besides cognize is that if we don’t respond efficaciously past this White House and Republican-controlled authorities governments each crossed nan country, they will not stop, because they do not look to judge successful this thought of an inclusive, expansive democracy,” Obama said astatine nan arena that included erstwhile Attorney General Eric Holder and erstwhile House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

His remarks came a time earlier Republicans successful nan Texas House passed a measure to redraw legislature lines that would adhd 5 much GOP seats successful Congress aft adjacent year's midterm elections.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom past week called connected authorities lawmakers to pass a ballot measure to redraw legislature lines successful consequence to caller redistricting plans successful Republican-led states for illustration Texas.

While not prohibited, it is uncommon for states to put guardant maps successful betwixt decennial census counts.

Obama connected Tuesday cited Newsom's plan, saying he has "tremendous respect" for nan connection which would let redistricting that favors Democrats.

“Texas is taking guidance from a partisan White House that is efficaciously saying: Gerrymander for partisan purposes truthful we tin support nan House contempt our unpopular policies,” Obama said.

“So I judge that Gov. Newsom’s attack is simply a responsible approach. He said this is going to beryllium responsible. We’re not going to effort to wholly maximize it. We’re only going to do it if and erstwhile Texas and/or different Republican states statesman to propulsion these maneuvers,” he added.

The National Democratic Redistricting Committee echoed Obama's support successful a social media post Wednesday night, calling Newsom's scheme "a adjacent and responsible consequence to Trump’s unprecedented powerfulness grab."