This isn’t ‘your grandfather’s Democratic Party that just rolled over’

WASHINGTON — Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin defended California’s redistricting efforts while criticizing Republican efforts as unconstitutional.

“If they want to do this and continue to do this nonsense, which is unconstitutional and illegal, we will be forced to do it ourselves in other states,” Martin said in an interview with NBC News, referring to the Republican Party’s redistricting efforts.

When asked if two unconstitutional acts constituted a right, Martin replied: “In that case, I would say yes. »

His comments come as Californians will decide Tuesday whether to approve the state’s Prop 50 ballot measure, which would allow the state to redistrict to favor Democrats in the midterm elections. The move came in response to Republican redistricting efforts in Texas to favor the GOP, which have sparked redistricting battles in state legislatures across the country.

“What they’re trying to do is steal the next election, rig the cards in a way that gives them an unfair advantage, right?” Martin said of the Republicans. “And that’s wrong, but it’s also unconstitutional and illegal.”

“So I would say it wasn’t your grandfather’s Democratic Party that turned around and said, ‘Well, you know, this is wrong. They shouldn’t do it,'” he added. “Well, you know, damn it if we’re not willing to stand up and fight for what we believe in.”

His comments echoed those of Gov. Gavin Newsom, Democrat of California, when “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker asked whether there was still room for the Democratic Party to consider former first lady Michelle Obama’s philosophy: “When they go low, we go high.”

“I would love to get back to it, but the politics have changed,” Newsom said. “The world has changed. The rules of the game have changed.”

Both interviews come as Democrats make their final presentations to voters before heading to the polls Tuesday in several high-profile state elections, including the vote on California’s redistricting measure and gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey.

The race for Virginia attorney general also gained national attention last month after violent text messages from Democratic candidate Jay Jones resurfaced amid growing concerns about political violence.

Jones apologized for the texts, in which he suggested a Republican lawmaker get “two bullets to the head,” but Republicans repeatedly harped on the scandal, also trying to use it to burden Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger.

When asked how Martin viewed his role in selecting Democratic candidates, he responded, “We obviously need to do a better job of selecting our candidates.” » He called Jones’ comments “indefensible” but noted that Jones had apologized.

“I think he’s evolved,” Martin added later. “He certainly understands why it was wrong. And again, Virginians will now have to decide whether it’s disqualifying or not. It’s not up to me to make those decisions.”

Democrats’ latest election campaign comes as efforts to reopen the government remain stalled at the Capitol. The shutdown is set to become the longest week in U.S. history this week.

In the interview with NBC News, Martin blamed Republicans for the shutdown, arguing that they continued to “evade any sort of accountability.”

“Let’s be honest about who bears responsibility here,” he later added. “The Democrats bear no responsibility.”

An NBC News poll released Sunday found more registered voters blamed Republicans for the shutdown. The poll indicates that 52% of registered voters think President Donald Trump and/or Republicans are more to blame for the shutdown, compared to 42% who think Democrats are more to blame.

Democrats have urged Republicans to negotiate Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire at the end of the year, which would increase the cost of health care premiums. Republicans pushed for a bill to temporarily extend spending at the same levels before discussing health care negotiations.

“I’m proud of the Democrats who stood up and fought for health care in this country, because it’s not a privilege, it’s a right,” Martin said.