Which map do you prefer?

On a serious note: I've already given my $0.02 on the whole VRA - Conyers/Clarke thing. Much like the constitutionality of Obamacare, I've yet been able to locate the exact language they use to justify this decision.

If you want to drive a steak through the heart of the democrats, Wayne County is where it's at.

You'll cause more consternation among them putting Conyers and Clarke head-to-head, rather than Levin and Peters.

Kudos for pointing out an interesting link.

"Drawing a map favorable to your party requires two basic things."

Even if you are right in principle on the VRA issue, it isn't worth the risk of having the whole map thrown out over that issue.

The last time Barcia had a competitive race was 2002 state senate against Mike Green.  In that race, he lost Tuscola and Sanilac and narrowly won Huron.  His entire margin of about 20000 votes came from Bay.

http://miboecfr.nicusa.com/election/results/02GEN/07031000.html

1. How does splitting Grand Rapids violate the Apol standards?  Strict population equality requires that there be breaks somewhere.  Right now, Solon Twp in Kent is split.  I don't see why it is better to split a township than split a city.

2. The populations are as close as I could make them using the tools available.  The boundaries could be tweaked to make the populations exact, but the outline of the map is what I consider important.

3. Bonior's old district and my proposed district are indeed similar.  Mine trades Roseville, Eastpointe, Mount Clemens area (D) for Sterling Heights (lean R).  Bonior's district was never all that democratic, and seems to have gotten more Republican since then.  Bonior held it due to incumbency, but only narrowly held off some less than top-tier challengers.

And given that Republicans control the redistricting process, Demcorats should watch their backs, right?

As it often is with redistricting, it might not be so simple.

Much like in other big states, Republican gains in Michigan in 2010 make it virtually impossible for the party to add winnable seats in 2012 without severely risking the districts they currently hold. That's in spite of the fact that Republicans control all levers of the redistricting process in the Wolverine State.

http://wmugop.blogspot.com/2011/03/washington-post-misleading-on-michigan.html

Two Michigan Republicans were amongst the 26 GOP "no" voters who could have broken the tie and won the vote for the "yes" side. All of the 210 "yes" votes were Republicans. The amendment had no Democrat support.

The two Republicans from Michigan that voted "no" were Candice Miller, R-Harrison Twp., and Thad McCotter, R-Livonia.

....

The offices of Miller and McCotter each received two email requests for comment but did not respond.

Damned shame about Thaddy Mac.  Being a rah-rah hometown tool for the auto bailouts I can somewhat overlook, but this vote?  Nope.  Stick a fork in him, he's done in my book.