Thomas E. Mann Quotes & Sayings (Page 2)

“I don't believe in a golden mean; I don't believe you find policy wisdom between two polar points. I don't dismiss that possibility, but I look at the platform that's so ideologically based, that's so dismissive of facts, of evidence, of science, and it's frankly hard to take seriously.”

“The country has sorted itself ideologically into the two political parties, and those partisan attachments have hardened in recent years. It will take an extraordinary event and act of leadership to break this partisan divide. I thought 9/11 might provide such an opportunity, but it was not seized.”

“A healthy degree of party unity among Democrats and Republicans has deteriorated into bitter partisan warfare.”

“Congress requires states to draw single-member districts.”

“The increase in straight-ticket party voting in recent years means that competitive congressional races can tip one way or the other depending on the showing of the candidates at the top of the ticket.”

“While Republican voters have remained universally supportive of their President, Democrats and Independents are returning to a more naturally critical stance.”

“With the parties at virtual parity and the ideological gulf between them never greater, the stakes of majority control of Congress are extremely high.”

“Further-more, partisan attachments powerfully shape political perceptions, beliefs and values, and incumbents enjoy advantages well beyond the way in which their districts are configured.”

“In the House, Republican prospects have been buoyed by several successful rounds of redistricting, which have sharply reduced the number of competitive seats and given the Republicans a national advantage of at least a dozen seats.”

“Redistricting is a deeply political process, with incumbents actively seeking to minimize the risk to themselves (via bipartisan gerrymanders) or to gain additional seats for their party (via partisan gerrymanders).”