The Writer's Joy Is The

In The House, Republican Prospects Have Been Buoyed By Several Successful Rounds Of Redistricting, Which Have Sharply Reduced The Number Of Competitive Seats And Given The Republicans A National Advantage Of At Least A Dozen Seats.

Redistricting Is A Deeply Political Process, With Incumbents Actively Seeking To Minimize The Risk To Themselves (via Bipartisan Gerrymanders) Or To Gain Additional Seats For Their Party (via Partisan Gerrymanders).

Responsibility For Overseeing The Implementation Of Election Law Typically Resides With Partisan Officials, Many With Public Stakes In The Election Outcome.

All Of This Suggests That While Citizens Became More Comfortable With President Bush After September 11 And Thought Him To Have The Requisite Leadership Skills, They Continue To Harbor Doubts About His Priorities, Loyalties, Interests, And Policies.

Congress Requires States To Draw Single-member Districts.