“A liberal group involved in a lawsuit to make Florida’s congressional districts less partisan engaged in its own partisan efforts by drawing Democratic-heavy Hispanic seats or trying to “scoop” Jewish voters.”

Miami Herald.

This is another example of groups posing as neutral fair redistricting advocates (they even name themselves as such) acting as partisan agents in the process.  It demonstrates further that purported nonpartisan redistricting efforts never really are.

But Republicans note that the emails involving Fair Districts leader Ellen Freidin and the consultants show that the plaintiffs’ proposals were drawn to strengthen Democrats, in general, and Wasserman Schultz in particular.

“I just got off the phone with Ellen,” consultant Brad Wieneke wrote in a Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, email to members of the team in discussing Wasserman Schultz’s district.

“They want to scoop as many Jews out of Tamarac and Sunrise as they can,” Wienke said.

Could this be evidence of impermissable racial intent behind the redistricting plan?  I suppose it might turn on whether the behavior involves a race.  Perhaps United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburgh speaks to this question. Found at 510 F.2d 512 (2nd Cir. 1975). 

United