Lines in the sand : congressional redistricting in Texas and the downfall of Tom DeLay / by Steve Bickerstaff.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bickerstaff, Steve.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

DeLay, Tom D., 1947---Influence.

DeLay, Tom D.

United States. Congress. House--Election districts.

United States.

Texas. Legislature--History.

Texas.

Election districts--Texas.

Election districts.

Politics, Practical--United States.

Politics, Practical.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (485 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Austin, Tex. : University of Texas Press, 2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The events of 2003 in Texas were important to the political history of this country. Congressman Tom DeLay led a Republican effort to gerrymander the state's thirty-two congressional districts to defeat all ten of the Anglo Democratic incumbents and to elect more Republicans; Democratic state lawmakers fled the state in an effort to defeat the plan. The Lone Star State uproar attracted attention worldwide. The Republicans won this showdown, gaining six additional seats from Texas and protecting the one endangered Republican incumbent. Some of the methods used by DeLay to achieve this result, however, led to his criminal indictment and ultimately to his downfall. With its eye-opening research, readable style, and insightful commentary, Lines in the Sand provides a front-line account of what happened in 2003, often through the personal stories of members of both parties and of the minority activist groups caught in a political vortex. Law professor Steve Bickerstaff provides much-needed historical perspective and also probes the aftermath of the 2003 redistricting, including the criminal prosecutions of DeLay and his associates and the events that led to DeLay's eventual resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives. As a result, Bickerstaff graphically shows a dark underside of American politics-the ruthless use of public institutional power for partisan gain.

Contents:

The significance of the 2003 congressional redistricting in Texas

Partisan politics and redistricting in Texas

Racial and ethnic politics

Electing the right Republicans: the Republican strategy for the 2002 election

As partisan as the law allows: Republican strategy in 2003

Playing defense: Democratic strategy, 2001-2003

You gotta be kidding! The 2003 regular session

No better option: the Democrats break the quorum in the House of Representatives

Personal dilemmas: the first special session

Is there a Democratic endgame?

Republican triumph in the Senate

Redistricting by cabal: the final redistricting plan

The effects of the final plan

The dilemma for racial- and ethnic-minority lawmakers and advocacy organizations

The role of congressman Tom DeLay, Republican activists and donors, and the White House

The legal implications of the 2003 redistricting

Criminal investigations and indictments

The fall of Congressman DeLay

Conclusion.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. [411]-446) and index.

ISBN:

0-292-79527-0

OCLC:

614534916