Bangladesh, Aug. 17 -- When former President Barack Obama took to social media to denounce Texas Republicans for pursuing a mid-decade redistricting plan, his words struck a familiar partisan chord. “We cant lose focus on what matters – right now, Republicans in Texas are trying to gerrymander district lines to unfairly win five seats in next years midterm elections. This is a power grab that undermines our democracy,” Obama declared.

The statement reflects the broader Democratic talking point that gerrymandering, particularly when carried out by Republicans, represents an existential threat to democracy itself. Yet the problem with Obamas position is not simply one of rhetoric – it is one of historical practice. ...