In a virtual sitdown with Gov. Gavin Newsom, Obama called the measure a necessary counterbalance. Obama claimed that Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers are attempting to nullify the will of the American voters by devaluing votes.
Furthermore, he added, “The problem that we are seeing right now is that our current president and his administration is explicitly saying that we want to change the rules of the game mid-stream in order to insulate ourselves from the people’s judgment.”
Obama acknowledged that such mid-decade congressional map changes are not ideal.
Yet, “we cannot unilaterally allow one of the two major parties to rig the game,” he said.
He praised Newsom’s strategy as “smart, measured” and limited to this particular moment. “I believe that Governor Newsom’s approach is a responsible approach,” Obama said.
The ballot measure will be decided by California voters on Nov. 4, with early voting already underway. If approved, the new map could alter the balance of power in the U.S. House. The move could potentially aid Democrats’ bid to regain majority control. The campaign has already seen significant financial support from partisan donors and national advocacy groups.
RELATED CONTENT: Governor Newsom Draws Line On Reparations: Approves Study, Vetoes College Preference For Slave Descendants
Source: Black Enterprise
