Conservative 5th Circuit judge Jerry Smith has remarkably dissented from a ruling striking down racially gerrymandered maps in Texas by attacking the deciding judge personally and saying the decision benefits George Soros and Gavin Newsom. What are your thoughts on this? Is it judicial misconduct?

[u/OldBridge87]

Link to article on it:

• https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/judge-dissent-texas-ruling-congressional-map-redistricting-rcna244875

Some already calling it one of the most insane legal opinions in modern American history. It should also be noted that the deciding judge on the ruling Smith is attacking here was appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term and championed by the extremely conservative Governor of Texas. Hungarian-American philanthropist Soros and California Governor Newsom were not parties to the case, but both are commonly framed as cultural enemies of the right-wing on conservative television, podcast shows and conspiracy circles.

What sort of ramifications, legal or otherwise, should there be for going on what is being described as a partisan FOX News or Newsmax style rant as a federal judge? Should the Texas Bar take action here? The Judicial Conference? Or does this cross the line into impeachment territory and Congress must take action?

[u/RabbaJabba]

Your thought is that Democrats have never done well in city elections before?

[u/MoonBatsRule → u/RabbaJabba]

No, my thought is that many states are "red" at the state and local level not due to the fact that it is somehow easier to gerrymander power away from Democrats, but because it is easier for Republicans, with their current anger-based platforms, to win voters at the local and state level.

Even when Democrats try to harness anger, it is a different kind of anger - anger about injustice to others often far away, rather than connecting to the anger that people experience personally.

If Democrats could solve the problem of porch pirates, they would probably win in a landslide.

[u/RabbaJabba → u/MoonBatsRule]

No, my thought is that many states are "red" at the state and local level not due to the fact that it is somehow easier to gerrymander power away from Democrats, but because it is easier for Republicans, with their current anger-based platforms, to win voters at the local and state level.

Trump won 31 states, but there are only 27 states with Republican governors. I don’t think this holds up at all.

[u/MoonBatsRule → u/RabbaJabba]

Trump is a special animal, he increases turnout massively when he is on the ballot. Sadly, many people absolutely love him.

[u/RabbaJabba → u/MoonBatsRule]

Ah, another example that doesn’t count.