GOP Is Poised to Reap a Redistricting Bonus

From The Wall Street Journal:

The betting is that Republicans take the House of Representatives in November, but there appears to be an even better chance they also will secure an edge in shaping the next four Congresses after that.

The GOP can do this by sweeping governorships in states that will lose or add congressional seats beginning in 2012. Because their quotient of House seats will change, those states will draw entirely new district maps.

Typically the mapmaking is done by the governor and majority party in the state legislature, and when all are of the same party they can draw maps to big partisan advantage. And a look at polling in states where districts will be totally redrawn shows Republicans well positioned to take advantage in nearly every one.