Georgia re-redistricting — redux

Last week, we learned that Georgia Republicans, following in Texas’ twisted example, are considering a re-redistricting scheme for the state’s congressional lines, now that the GOP enjoys statewide majorities in Atlanta.

This week, we know a little more. The bad news is, Georgia Republicans have decided to pursue the ridiculous plan. The good news is, they can’t agree among themselves as to how to go about it.

Republicans in the Georgia House and Senate introduced separate and vastly different plans to redraw the state’s Congressional districts Tuesday, removing any doubt about their intention to undertake a mid-decade redistricting certain to send a shock wave through the Peach State delegation.

The two plans will eventually have to be reconciled, but in the meantime the maps appear to set up a showdown between Republicans in Washington, D.C., and those at the state Capitol.

This could get ugly. Georgia Dems are going to go fight as hard as they can against these schemes, as well they should considering the state already did redistricting two years ago, when it was supposed to. But the more interesting fight will be among the Republicans themselves.

One map was drawn by the seven Republicans in the U.S. House, which, not surprisingly, protected their personal interests carefully. Indeed, these seven re-drew the lines of their own districts to make them even safer.

In the State House, however, Reapportionment Chairman Bobby Franklin (R-Ga.) offered a competing map that would create as many as three member-versus-member contests and, at minimum, two new open seats. The State Senate has offered a third and different plan.

This isn’t how it worked in Texas at all, where Tom DeLay told state lawmakers what was going to happen and they obliged. As such, the process in Georgia will likely be even more contentious. Stay tuned.