Daniels: Redistricting could end partisanship

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) recently offered his own solution for ending the partisan rancor in Washington -- redistricting.
 
The process traditionally has been used to gain an advantage over the opposing party. But Daniels, who was in Washington preaching political civility, says it could be used to push members into the center of the political spectrum.
 
"If we got rid of gerrymandering and districts were really drawn not to protect incumbents but on a demographic, and geographic and common sense basis, I think we all know, we'd have a lot more competitive districts and you'd have more places where people compete for the center and not the edge," the potential 2012 presidential contender said at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast on Tuesday. "I've already told my own party, which got shafted in the last redistricting Congressionally and in the state House, I will not sign a politically drawn redistricting plan."
 
In Indiana, redistricting is overseen by the state Legislature, with the governor holding veto power over their proposal.
 
Daniels said he is pushing state lawmakers to pass legislation to create redistricting guidelines that would make the process more transparent. "As it happens, it would give us a fairer shake than today," he said.
 
Indiana Democrats, meanwhile, are worried that Daniels' prolific fundraising abilities will help his party reclaim the state's lower chamber in November. He has a PAC that donates to state politicians. If the GOP takes the state House, it would give the party complete control over redistricting, which will begin after the Census is complete in December.
 
Still, Daniels brushed aside the suggestion he was concerned about his party's political future. His desire to reclaim the state House, he said “is not about redistricting.”
 
“We've got several more things I'd like to do on my watch and I've about run out the string of things we can get done with our opponents in control of the House," he said.