TNR on The Democrats Just Laid Down

The Democrats Just Laid Down Their Arms. Again. Regardless of whether retiring the current Virginia Supreme Court would result in the electoral maps that voters approved, there are a number of good reasons why state Democrats should do it anyway. Do it because replacing the Supreme Court with one more aligned with Virginia voters will be a gift that keeps on giving. Do it because it will raise the salience of the GOP’s rush to undo civil rights gains. Do it because if the shoe were on the GOP’s foot, they would not hesitate to forcibly retire a Democratic-majority court. Do it because, as Brian Beutler writes, you cannot simply not “respond to an element of a Republican coup d’etat.” Another reason is to build muscle memory and inspire others. So frustrating that one party uses any means necessary and one party believes preserving norms is more important than gaining power. (And anyway those norms won't be around much longer to preserve.)