McDonnell to Janet Howell: no, because *I* said so

In what I’m certain is a first, Governor Bob McDonnell has vetoed the redistricting bill, due entirely to the Senate lines. It is easily the most dramatic smackdown a Virginia Governor has ever delivered to a legislative body controlled by the opposition party.

McDonnell basically told the State Senate Democrats, from Janet Howell on down, that their plan is likely in violation of the U.S. and Virginia Constitutions (keep in mind, this from the fellow who as Attorney General thought HB3202 was constitutional – you practially have to set the document on fire to fail his test), discriminates against suburban voters (that had to hurt), and chops up counties and cities into julienne fries (which it does).

He also demanded they start redoing lines now.

I must confess; I never expected this. I figured the Governor would change some lines south of the James (like put the 8th back in Virginia Beach) or something. This basically brings everything to a full stop. McDonnell didn’t even present an alternative – which could mean status quo this year and a whole new set of legislative elections in 2012.

Then again, I could be wrong; after all, I missed this entirely.

Cross-posted to Bearing Drift (with different title)