Michigan is one of a few states that will lose seats this year due to the census.  A census that has a matter of policy, the inclusion of residents both legal and illegal.  

Strangely, California which is viewed as having a growing immigrant population,  has seen so change in its representation numbers.  Perhaps replacement is the reason. At the rate of replacement, maybe legal voting families in California will eventually EACH have their own congressmen. A personal representative. Nice.

But Texas, which has a growth of four congressional seats seems to benefit from its pro business climate yet again, with a booming population. Both immigrant and NON.  Of course Kwame Kilpatrick was on probation, and living there for the census count if I am not mistaken. They really ought to get one less now.

And even with the mausoleum counters at work, back here in Michigan, we have lost a seat.  Even though Ohio, and NY beat us in the downturn of population relevance, and seven other states are joining us in a representative shrink, we still must face the fact that we aren't such hot shots in Congress anymore.  A bit less of the monster electoral throwing its weight around Washington, to be sure.

However..

As the seat is lost, we have an opportunity.

A few days ago, it seemed we had a chance to toss out a 55 year old incumbency with a possible defeat of 400 year old John Dingell by Dr Rob Steele.  Alas, as the counts were finalizing it seemed our hope was not to be realized, and the festerish curmudgeon of Congress holds on to yet another two years of inappropriate employment.  It also appeared we might be able to hold off Kildee, or Peters' attempts to hold their seats, but again, it was not meant to be.

But the Tea Party sentiment, and revitalization of the Republican party, along with a twist of opportunity provided by the 'Revenge of the Nerd's' electoral tails has brought us a new reality.  Enough house seats in Lansing combined with Enough Seats in the Senate, along with the supporting cast of all top level officials and appropriate majorities, gets us control of WHICH seat we lose.

I choose YOU Pikachu! err.. umm I mean well.. Any one of the 'absorbable' districts anyhow..  

Perhaps an argument could be made that the 5th district (the Kildee seat) could be parceled out based on voting precinct, because it was close and borders more Republican leaning areas already, but Rocky's showing demonstrated the 9th might well be the better choice, as he came within 2.5% in the end.  A little toss down to the Democrat leaning Sander Levin stronghold (giving the 12th a new Democrat lease on life) would actually strengthen the Republican odds for the up north 5th which along with some minor tweaks to others, would have some re-arrangement done.

Yes it may have been a not so wonderful night for those who had so much invested in the Rocky Campaign by Tuesday's elections, but a good point is made by Henry Payne at the view:

As the returns came in late Wednesday Morning, one Rocky insider called Campaign HQ "the saddest group of Republicans in Michigan." But, says Ballenger, the Rocky setback is a speed bump.

The important event on Tuesday night was the Elephant Party's sweep of Lansing, meaning that they will be in the driver's seat come redistricting. That means when Peters pulls out the big bucks to defend his seat in 2012, or 2014, or. . . he may not have a district left to defend.