There's been a lot of talk about Texas redistricting its congressional maps prior to the 2026 midterms. This move could give the Republicans an additional five seats in the House, and given their current slim majority, every seat is needed.
The issue of gerrymandering is complex, but it's been the norm pretty much since the nation was founded. My eldest son's senior capstone project focused on the subject, so we spent the whole of last summer up to our elbows in books about gerrymandering and political maps.
But for Democrats, gerrymandering is only good when they do it. Then it's 'equity' and 'fairness' and 'defending democracy.' When Republicans do it ... not so much. It's an attack on our fundamental freedoms.
Why?
Because reasons.
But I can't help but notice something: while there's a cadre of Democrats running to every microphone to attack Gov. Greg Abbott, the silence from Abbott's fellow Republicans -- including Republican governors -- has been deafening.
So I have to ask: where's the GOP?
Former President Barack Obama -- who hails from one of the most unfairly gerrymandered states in the union -- had no problem attacking Abbott:
We can’t lose focus on what matters – right now, Republicans in Texas are trying to gerrymander district lines to unfairly win five seats in next year’s midterm elections. This is a power grab that undermines our democracy. https://t.co/lBGo5aNbyp
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 5, 2025
The Texas Democrats fled to Illinois, where Governor J.B. Pritzker showed he has a very odd definition of 'fair' and 'non-partisan' when it comes to gerrymandered maps, too.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has chimed in, vowing to make California even less friendly to Republicans than it already is, and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey vows to make her state -- where there are currently zero Republican representatives -- even less Republican friendly.
Meanwhile, while both Indiana Governor Mike Braun and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are also looking at redistricting, not one Republican governor has spoken publicly in defense of Governor Abbott.
Not that he needs it, mind you.
I also checked the Republican Governors' Association account on X and there wasn't a mention of Abbott or what the Texas GOP is doing.
The other person who needs to step up and speak out is former President George W. Bush, a native Texan. The days of former presidents going quietly into retirement are over. You can thank Barack Obama and Joe Biden for that one. George W. Bush should defend his state -- where duly elected Republicans have the majority -- from the Democrats' attacks.
I won't hold my breath on that, though.
This is where Republicans fail, time and again. The Democrats have fallen in line, and they have their talking points: Texas is evil and disenfranchising voters and attacking democracy. They've been on television for days pounding that narrative, and they'll keep pounding that narrative until Abbott breaks them.
The Republican Party can never seem to coalesce as a unit, instead preferring to give in to partisan infighting. Meanwhile, the Democrats have a singular goal in mind: the acquisition of permanent power. James Carville spelled out what the next Democratic administration would look like earlier today: utterly ruinous for America. Not one Democrat will oppose Carville's plan, just as they don't object to the gerrymandered maps in blue states. All they care about is winning, and they'll defend their party and its hypocrisy, no matter the cost.
And not one Republican can do the same in defense of Abbott? This is why we lose.
