Rep. Ed Blackmon speaks against Denny map

Rep. Ed Blackmon (D - Canton) begins his speech by saying that he's convinced this won't be the last time the House handles this redistricting effort.  He talks about why districts were packed in the past versus why they are packed now.  In the past, packing was done to ensure that at least some blacks would be elected to office. Now it's done to make sure the number of blacks elected is kept low.

Blackmon says because we (Mississippians) are who we are, and because we did what we did, we have to answer to the federal government.  He goes on to say that there is no need to have 75% or higher black districts in an area such as Jackson any longer.  Says that keeps blacks from influencing other districts.  Goes on to say that the federal government isn't going to stand for a map that squeezes blacks into districts "like sardines."

Rep. Ed Blackmon (D - Canton) begins questioning Rep. Bill Denny (R - Jackson) about the Denny map

Rep. Blackmon begins questioning Rep. Denny by talking about history, and how redistricting has played a role in advancing minority representation over the years.  Blackmon says that redistricting has increased the number of minorities in the House from 5 to 37.

Blackmon then gets Denny to admit that the party split in the House is really just the Regular Democrats and the Loyalist Democrats shuffling amongst the parties.  That's a pretty strong admission by Denny.

Blackmon then starts talking about the packed districts.  Denny says he decreased the packing in districts.  Blackmon says there is no longer a need for packed districts in order to elect minorities.  Denny agrees.

Blackmon is doing a great job on the packing issue, to which Denny is wide open and vulnerable.  Blackmon says you could unpack many of the majority minority districts and increase minority voting power across the state.  He's absolutely right.

Blackmon then asks Denny whether or not the experts retained by Denny could unpack the majority minority districts and better preserve communities of interests and compactness.  Denny says that's a hypothetical.