While You Were Out: Virginia Senate Republicans pull redistricting coup

Virginia State Capitol (source: Wikipedia) Blue Virginia:

You don't get more slimy, sneaky, underhanded, etc. than this (great work by Ben Tribbett alerting us to what was going on in the following series of Facebook updates):

"Wow- Republicans in the Virginia Senate are now trying to redraw the maps and draw at least one Democratic Senator out of the Senate. Happening right now on the floor."

"COUP GOING ON IN VIRGINIA SENATE: Republicans have just brought all new Senate districts to the floor with Henry Marsh gone in DC, now 30 minutes of debate before they send them to the House of Delegates."

"COUP SUCCESSFUL- NEW DISTRICTS HEADED TO VIRGINIA HOUSE. AT LEAST ONE DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TO BE OUSTED."

Take note, too, of this update to that post:

UPDATE #2: One of the sharpest Virginia political analysts I know, KentonNgo, tweets: "If VA Republicans were smart enough not to touch the already cleared VRA districts, the plan will likely stand. Dems are toast." Ugh.

Here's the Richmond Times-Dispatch on the matter.

Better local minds than mine will have to be our guide on what, if anything, there is to do here, besides go to court. But this did bring up a thought.

Today, the Virginia Senate Republicans play all out constitutional hardball on the rules. And tomorrow, Republicans will be pleading with Democrats for a "go slow" approach, bipartisan compromise, or just shrieking "power grab!" when the U.S. Senate takes up filibuster reform.

They're pissing on your leg and telling you it's raining, senators. Look alive.

Please send an email to your Democratic senator/s urging them to pass real filibuster reform including the talking filibuster and/or flipping the burden.

If you don't have a Democratic senator, call Reid's office at 202-224-3542, and tell him to include the talking filibuster and/or flipping the burden of the filibuster.