Census puts a hurt on some Democratic strongholds
As expected, the feds announced today that Georgia will add a 14th seat in the U.S. House — and one more vote in the Electoral College — thanks to the 2010 Census. We’ve added 1.5 million residents over the past decade and now have the ninth-most populous state, up from 10th after the 2000 Census.
That’s New Jersey you see in our rear-view mirror. Michigan is up next: The only state to shrink over the past 10 years, it now has just 200,000 more people than Georgia (versus an edge of nearly 1.8 million in 2000).
You may have already read about some of the other trends: The South was the fastest-growing region, and Republican-leaning states by and large gained at the expense of Democratic-leaning states. Most of the growing states remain in the “red” category after this year’s mid-term elections, meaning they are not turning purplish due to their influx of blue-state emigres.
Here are some specifics from those trends that caught my eye:
- For the first time since it became a state, California will not add a House seat due to reapportionment; it stays at 53.
- Ohio (16 seats, down from 18) will have its smallest congressional delegation since the 1820s; New York (27 seats, down from 29) its smallest since the 1810s; and Pennsylvania (18, down from 19) its smallest since the 1800s. Pennsylvania peaked at 36 and New York at 45 (in the 1930s and ’40s, when it was the nation’s largest delegation).
- Florida’s delegation (27, up from 25) is now as large as the Empire State’s, tied for third-largest after California and Texas (36, up from 32).
- Massachusetts (nine, down from 10) has never had so few members of the U.S. House; it had 14 in the 1st Congress, which began in 1790, and peaked at 20.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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145 comments Add your comment
Joel Edge
December 22nd, 2010
9:19 am
HDB@9:07
“state the truth in the attempt to resolve an issue?? How is it a “predetermined mind set””
I’m a conservative, so I’m a racist? Is that “stating the truth”?
atler8
December 22nd, 2010
9:23 am
Before you conservatives celebrate too much, heed what has been noted here already: by far the fastest growing element of Texas’s population is the hispanic population, which is estimated to now constitute 36% of that state’s population. The GOP is kissing goodby to the latino vote nationwide, as they already did in California in the 1990’s so the long range outlook for Texas is for it to turn purple.
By the way, 3 states that will lose a total of 4 electoral votes between them are pretty reliably republican in the presidential vote column. They are Louisiana, Missouri & Ohio. If you don’t beleive me, look it up.
Speaking in terms of Georgia, we will be hard pressed to gain any new seats via growth in the next decade as we have stopped experiencing in-migration & were hit so hard by the recession that our newly released figures turned out to be 150,000 lower than the 2009 census bureau estimate. Our state leadership & legislature haven’t a clue as to how to deal with the economic problems, as has been the case with nearly every other major issue facing Georgia since they took control.
And finally to rdh & others, Texas has a $25 billion deficit facing it now & Georgia is in a financial mess so don’t go thinking it’s only blue states that are in a financial tight pinch. And if you look at the states that get more dollars flowing to them from the federal treasury than they contribute to it, you will see that generally it is the red states that are freeloading at the expense of the blue states. So be careful what states you trash & call names since they are supporting conservative basket cases such as Georgia.
HDB
December 22nd, 2010
9:32 am
Joel Edge
December 22nd, 2010
9:19 am
You personally may not be…..
Your POLITICAL PARTY is…..that’s the distinction! In many areas, I have conservative views….in others, liberal…but when you review the platforms of BOTH parties, when you review the HISTORY of both parties…and which party has championed pertinent issues in the modern era….and which party CHANGED its ideology to fit a racist paradigm….the evidence speaks volumes!!
Joel Edge
December 22nd, 2010
9:37 am
HDB@9:32
“Your POLITICAL PARTY is”
So my whole party is racist? Republican, tea party, etc. All of it/them?
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
9:38 am
Regarding the comment about GOP candidates not being invited to black churches: it doesn’t matter. Believe it or not there are members of all party lines in black churches. We’d prefer our administration not invite ANY of them honestly. Example: Roy Barnes visited our church on his campaign trail. Our pastor introduced him as “the next governor of Georgia”; the slow clap that followed was amusing to say the least, as a good bit of our congregation are educators. Pastor redeemed himself the following week by encouraging us to vote for who we thought was the best candidate
I’m sure he learned a valuable lesson that day.
Believe it or not, blacks have a mind of their own.
Darwin
December 22nd, 2010
9:42 am
Not all Republicans are racists. But all racists are Republican.
Joel Edge
December 22nd, 2010
9:45 am
“Not all Republicans are racists. But all racists are Republican.”
And that is why I don’t Democrat anymore.
HDB
December 22nd, 2010
9:45 am
Joel Edge
December 22nd, 2010
9:37 am
Note that I differentiated between you personally….and your political party……
Tea Party – has a very racist component in it (speaking from experience when counter-demonstrating; got called every prejorative in the book; Obama posters as a witch doctor….)
Republican party — the platforms were designed for racial polarization…..
Remember what Ken Mehlman, former head of the RNC stated:
…….from wikipedia:
In his address to the NAACP on July 14, 2005 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mehlman apologized for the Republican Party’s failure to reach out to the black community in the aftermath of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, stating, “Some Republicans gave up on winning the African-American vote, looking the other way or trying to benefit politically from racial polarization… I am here as Republican chairman to tell you we were wrong.” In a CNN interview a couple of days after the speech, he reluctantly mentioned the “Southern strategy” by name.
Where’s the follow-up?? Where’s the outreach?? NON-EXISTENT!! To follow-up on this would have been a beginning…….
Suckers
December 22nd, 2010
9:46 am
The congressional districting system should be thrown out entirely as it is not a true representation of the people as states are required to cast their votes as a bloc.
The popular vote should be brought back with the caveat that only landowners vote. Not white, male, landowners- all landowners. Period.
Property ownership is a fundamental cornerstone that once made this country great.
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
9:46 am
“Who filibustered the Civil Rights Act? – Robert Byrd (Democrat… who was also in the KKK)”
_____________________________________________________
“I know you are but what am I?” Good grief.
Let’s not go down that road. We all know what history has shown us regarding those who flip flop when it’s convenient. The Strom Thurmond types who end up having black mistresses and black babies? The homophobic leaders who are caught in compromising positions?? The anti-illegal immigration advocates who are found to be employing illegal immigrants??? Please, there is enough corruption on BOTH sides.
HDB
December 22nd, 2010
9:47 am
sunshine in GA December 22nd, 2010
9:38 am
SAY IT AGAIN!!
atler8
December 22nd, 2010
9:47 am
I should also have noted earlier in my post that the Dallas Morning News notes that the $25 billion deficit facing Texas is proportionately larger than that faced by California. So far the GOP governor & legislative leaders there have been trying to pretend that it’s not the elephant in the room. Good luck to them!
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
9:58 am
“HDB, You are the most racist commenter I’ve ever encountered on any blog in the country. You are not helping your people.
How would you feel if there were:
American Americans
National Advancement of White People
United White College Fund
White Caucus
white churches
White History Month
White colleges
White Magazine
United White College Fund, etc.?
Martin Luther King said, “We’re all judged by the content of our character.” The very thing God gave us to hold us together tears us apart (race) is a part of socialism.”
___________________________________________________________________
Actually, a lot of the aforementioned organizations DO exist, and I am tickled every time some race baiter uses this as logic against the case for historically black organizations. I attended a historically black college where several whites were receiving “minority” scholarships from UNCF
these whites were also pledging our historically black fraternities and sororities, and were members of such groups as the NAACP and the NCNW.
The difference between historically black orgs and the white comparatives is that the black orgs have not EXCLUDED those from other races in being a part of our orgs. Of course EXCLUSION is the sole purpose that any of these orgs ever came into existence, genius.
Tick Tock
December 22nd, 2010
10:01 am
Yeah Republicans… just wait till our growing Latino population becomes a major voting block… enjoy your limited time in power… Our Spanish speaking friends will be sure to remember how you treated them.
williebkind
December 22nd, 2010
10:02 am
“If Obama turns out the under 30 crowd as he did in 2008, he wins”
I can not imagine that ever happening again with Obama. I, also, think the women vote will disappear for Obama in the next election. The Hispanic vote may be in his favor but who really knows.
BSdetector
December 22nd, 2010
10:02 am
sunshine in GA = Haley Barbour.
HDB
December 22nd, 2010
10:04 am
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
9:58 am
THANK YOU!! Someone else knows and understands!!!
williebkind
December 22nd, 2010
10:05 am
Tick Tock
December 22nd, 2010
10:01 am
Yeah, you and HDB can write a documentary about the racism of the conservatives. YOu can reflect how only the conservatives are biased and prejudiced against American laws, values, and traditions.
HDB
December 22nd, 2010
10:08 am
williebkind
December 22nd, 2010
10:02 am
Contingent upon who the GOP decides will be their Presidential candidate and the successes that Obama has with the economy for the next two years, it is a great possibility that Obama can get re-elected!! He’s already accomplished 80% of his campaign promises!! The only problem he’s had is communicating the results!! The wrong communicators have hijacked the message….and generated confusion!!
Tychus Findlay
December 22nd, 2010
10:10 am
@Sunshine
Absolutely true. A high school classmate of mine applied to Morehouse and did receive a scholarship under minority status. Of course he took the full academic ride to Harvard instead.
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
10:12 am
williebkind @ 9:00- I do wholeheartedly believe it’s the other way around. The GOP and some of their followers have a predetermined mindset about minorities, which is why they don’t bother to campaign in our neighborhoods. And believe it or not, we’re not just in the inner city! “Our” neighborhoods range from southwest Atlanta to Stone Mountain to Sandy Springs to Gwinnett, etc. If the GOP can campaign to poor, rural whites why not poor, inner city minorities? What’s so different about the two groups?
I personally think it’s foolish and bad politics, considering the growing # of minority republicans (notice I haven’t predetermined that minority only refers to BLACKS)
Unbelievable that as Georgia continues to become more of a melting pot, things are still seen in black and white.
HDB
December 22nd, 2010
10:14 am
williebkind
December 22nd, 2010
10:05 am
“You can reflect how only the conservatives are biased and prejudiced against American laws, values, and traditions.”
Remember: conservatives, in the name of MAINTAINING American law, values, and traditions, believed in “separate but equal”, the Dred Scott decision, and segregation!! The word conservative is derived from the verb “to conserve” which means “to maintain the status quo; to keep and maintain”. Remember: black people were not granted FULL CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS until 1964…….
That’s the history…….I didn’t write it!!
williebkind
December 22nd, 2010
10:17 am
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
9:58 am
I hear the word “exclusion” from minorities but when I go into public and private places I see voluntary segregation. I can not comprehend anyone not wanting to be around their own race and culture. Most things I read on this post are attacks against conservatives from minorities. Can I expect you to become educated in a progressive liberal environment and not be prejudiced against anything conservative? Therefore, how can I meet you halfway. It does not look good so far!
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
10:18 am
@ Tychus, speaking of Morehouse, anyone care to check out the demographics of this historically black institution’s medical school? (-: And the valedictorian for the class of 2008?
williebkind
December 22nd, 2010
10:18 am
HDB
December 22nd, 2010
10:14 am
Like you said it is history. That means in the past!
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
10:22 am
willie- when I mentioned exclusion I was referring to the purpose of those orgs and their existence. Of course voluntary segregation still exists. I, for one, do not expect to change anyone’s mindset just because a few laws were passed. Just as we shouldn’t expect these orgs to disappear because a few laws were passed, and to make whites who don’t utilize them feel more comfy. See how that works?
By the way: my family by and large is heavily Republican and the majority of them have voted such for many, many years.
williebkind
December 22nd, 2010
10:24 am
“The GOP and some of their followers have a predetermined mindset about minorities, which is why they don’t bother to campaign in our neighborhoods”
Once again that is progressive liberal endoctrination of minorities.
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
10:25 am
“WHY? The Blacks are like sheeple to the Democratic Party, and the Democratic Party only rushes to their side for votes, with vote-buying schemes and handouts.”
_________________________________________________________________
We could say the same for the GOP, who uses the same tactics to garner poor white voters.
There is a reason it is seen as ‘pandering’ when the GOP attempts to campaign to minorities. What does it say about the mindset of their established voter base? I look forward to the day when someone from the GOP camp is brave enough to campaign to minorities without fear of backlash from their constituents.
HDB
December 22nd, 2010
10:29 am
williebkind
December 22nd, 2010
10:17 am
Let’s break this down……
1) “I can not comprehend anyone not wanting to be around their own race and culture.” Many of us ARE diversified; we have the flexibility to communicate with multiple cultures and STILL be comfortable n our own skin. How else can we obtain a DYNAMIC perspective if we are unwilling to interface with different people. The problem I see is that some conservative paradigms persist in maintaining a stereotype rather than to note an abmormality!! In my environment, educated people are the NORM, not the exception!!
2)”Most things I read on this post are attacks against conservatives from minorities.” Have you considered that we are COUNTER-ATTACKING because of the multiple attacks conservatives place upon minorities? SB 1070 for one…..how do you expect people to react when they are under attack by those in power!!??
3)”Can I expect you to become educated in a progressive liberal environment and not be prejudiced against anything conservative?” Education is a CONSERVATIVE belief in the preponderance of minority homes; we have been raised that education and effort will generate success. What many of us rail against is the persistence that private education can accomplish the same things as public education….but the mandates of the two DIFFER!! When we persistently hear that conservatives want to CUT programs that generate success….that’s something to be against vehemently!!
4) “Therefore, how can I meet you halfway. It does not look good so far!” Have you thought to look for the COMMON values rather than what makes us different?? THAT’S the beginning!! Counter the mistakes that our predecessors have made…..ADMIT to the mistakes and hostility….it’s easier for someone to converse with someone on a level when animus and stereotypes are removed from the discourse….
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
10:30 am
“True redemption or just being a good Democrat who discovered who he had to pander to in order to be elected?
Of course he gets a pass from being “guilty be association” because he’s a Democrat, yet us conservatives aren’t as lucky”
_____________________________________________________________
Interesting. From the looks of Fox News line ups I’d say the conservatives are a forgiving bunch. Who else would employ a traitor like Karl Rove? Speaking of forgiveness, why is Bill Clinton still one of the most hated men in America amongst conservatives? Be careful how you answer this, since we’re speaking on forgiveness and all
williebkind
December 22nd, 2010
10:32 am
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
10:22 a
I know we will always have a few on both sides that can not come to terms. There are always a few who will stand their ground no matter what but that should not have a reflection on the entire conservative or democratic group. However, I stand against progressive liberals. I will end my days doing such.
HDB
December 22nd, 2010
10:38 am
williebkind
December 22nd, 2010
10:18 am
Problem is — history is repeating itself!! People are refusing to notice this! How can you change the present discourse by failing to acknowledge the failures of the past???
“The GOP and some of their followers have a predetermined mindset about minorities, which is why they don’t bother to campaign in our neighborhoods”
Once again that is progressive liberal endoctrination of minorities.
PROVE IT!! Where’s the Republican counter-argument? Show me that Republicans do NOT have a predetermined mindset about minorities? Does the GOP campaign in minority neighborhoods? Does the GOP address constituents in the inner city? Does the GOP view minorities as CONSTITUENTS!! Haven’t yet!!!
As Sunshine stated: “And believe it or not, we’re not just in the inner city! “Our” neighborhoods range from southwest Atlanta to Stone Mountain to Sandy Springs to Gwinnett, etc. If the GOP can campaign to poor, rural whites why not poor, inner city minorities? What’s so different about the two groups?”
SHOW ME!!!
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
10:52 am
“Once again that is progressive liberal endoctrination of minorities.”
That’s actually EXPERIENCE, sir. As I stated previously, I come from a Republican family. I have heard and seen it all, first hand. Before the GOP voters knew of my family’s affiliation, all they saw was black skin and made their assumptions from there. When my uncle attended a Tea Party rally in downtown Atlanta he was ostracized as being a plant for the democrats, a spy for Obama. I’m sure it wasn’t because he was black, though
When my mother went to vote for John McCain in 2000, she was met with indignation by some of the whites at the CHURCH she went to vote at. I’m sure it wasn’t because she was black, though 
When I went to vote for John Monds this last election cycle I met with the same indignation at another predominately white church in my precinct. If I had a $ for every snare I got from whites that day with my “I”m a Georgia voter” sticker, I could have paid the mortgage that month. But I’m sure they didn’t draw some brash conclusion about me as a black voter, though. Maybe I had bad breath 
yeah, that’s it.
You see, historically, there has been a covert undertone that we are not welcome by the GOP. You can make all the assumptions you want but to KNOW my plight is to have walked a day in my shoes. Until then, you won’t ever get it.
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
10:57 am
“There are always a few who will stand their ground no matter what but that should not have a reflection on the entire conservative or democratic group”
It shouldn’t. But unfortunately a few bad apples have always ruined it for the bunch. Your views of progressive liberals are indicative of that.
HDB
December 22nd, 2010
11:00 am
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
10:52 am
“You see, historically, there has been a covert undertone that we are not welcome by the GOP”
In some cases, it hasn’t be covert…but OVERT!!!
Intown
December 22nd, 2010
11:01 am
This blows. The red states are taking our nation in the wrong direction — less powerful, less wealthy, and more stupid.
williebkind
December 22nd, 2010
11:01 am
If you are conservative my view of progressive liberals should not indicative of anything. However, you have a Merry Christmas!
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
11:02 am
“Contingent upon who the GOP decides will be their Presidential candidate and the successes that Obama has with the economy for the next two years”
____________________________________________________________________
This will determine if he gets my vote again, it’s not looking good though. Frankly, I am over the Democrats and their passiveness. But I likely won’t be voting for any of the current potential candidates that have been presented as contenders from the GOP, either. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I support the likes of Sarah Palin and other opportunists. If the GOP were dumb enough to run her as a candidate it would probably seal the deal for President Obama.
A martian is looking more viable to me right now.
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
11:06 am
willieb- good day to you too.
And no, I am not a staunch conservative, as my family loves to remind me. My progressive friends and I are very much the political black sheep of our respective families for forming our own opinions and thinking for ourselves. Imagine that
HDB
December 22nd, 2010
11:09 am
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
11:02 am
“Frankly, I am over the Democrats and their passiveness”
THAT’S the key issue for me; I can’t see myself voting Republican with the gaggle they present as candidates…particularly Sarah Palin, Haley Barbour, Newt Gingrich, or Mitt Romney!! I’d like to see more about Mitch Daniels (Indiana) to see his viability. I’d like to see a completely comprehensive platform from the GOP that would include revitalization of the cities, a change in the educational paradigm, a change in the pro-business stance to keep jobs in the USA rather than allowing offshoring…and a pro-labor stance to ensure that the American worker is protected from the business ABUSES!!
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
11:10 am
Have a good day folks. HDB- you do a great thing here by attempting to educate stubborn mindsets, I don’t always have the patience
I’ll leave you all with this, the next time you want to use :”liberal” as a slur (compliments of Merriam-Webster):
lib·er·al (l b r- l, l b r l). adj. 1. Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry 2. Having broad opinions; open minded.
HDB
December 22nd, 2010
11:11 am
sunshine in GA
December 22nd, 2010
11:06 am
willieb- good day to you too.
And no, I am not a staunch conservative, as my family loves to remind me. My progressive friends and I are very much the political black sheep of our respective families for forming our own opinions and thinking for ourselves. Imagine that
GOOD FOR YOU!! Proof that not everyone is monolithic!!
HDB
December 22nd, 2010
1:22 pm
Happy Holidays, all…..may peace be with you…ALWAYS!!
Give it a break!
December 22nd, 2010
2:32 pm
SUnshine & HDB 0
Just get a room already! Jeez….
newtoncogeo
December 23rd, 2010
10:54 am
Can anyone remember the last redistricting? Democrat’s gerrymandering was so obscene that Federal courts redrew boundaries a bit more rationally. Which led to the end of a hundred years of Democratic rule in Georgia.
Hopefully Republicans can show a tad more restraint.
But, you can bet the Democrats will still come forth with the usual screams and screeches of “racism” and “it’s just not fair”.
Which, because the great mass of voters have the retention span of a gnat, they can get away with. Few will remember the churlish behavior of the Democrats when they were in the catbird seat.