Crying foul

The first test of a two-year process to re-draw the state's political boundaries had Republicans scrambling on Friday to assess damage to their party, and Democrats angling to gain seats in the 2012 primary election. Dakota Smith in the Daily News,

The 14-member California Citizens Redistricting Commission, meeting in Sacramento on Friday, tentatively approved new maps for state Assembly, state Senate, Congress and the Board of Equalization districts. Following public comment, final approval is expected on Aug. 15.

It's unlikely the final maps will deviate from the ones released Friday, the commissioners said at a news conference. That news disappointed Republicans, who said the redrawn maps hurt their party.o be a tilt towards Democrats."