The Editors Episode 868: ‘Microlooting’ Madness
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Apr 24, 2026 John Puri, Rhodes Fellow at National Review and new panelist, offers sharp analysis on politics and economics. The conversation covers Virginia redistricting and how gerrymanders work. They debate allegations about the SPLC and the incentives facing NGOs. A heated segment tackles “microlooting,” its moral arguments, and why normalizing petty theft can be dangerous.
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Gerrymanders Can Be Fragile And Self-Defeating
- Gerrymandering can create fragile majorities that a modest wave or legal challenge can overturn.
- Dan Foster and Charles Cooke note Virginia's deep-blue map may be vulnerable and could produce a “dummy mander” effect in a wave year.
Federal Power Has Limits On District Design
- National bans on gerrymandering likely face constitutional limits tied to the Elections Clause and states' authority.
- Dan Foster argues historical texts like Federalist 59 constrain Congress from dictating district outcomes.
Draw Districts Around Communities Not Just Votes
- Prioritize local community representation and compact districts over pure partisan counting when possible.
- John Puri urges drawing districts that 'hug county and city lines' to preserve substantive local representation.
