Longtime state senator had declined over the past few months to answer whether he was for or against the redistricting push. On Friday, he cited the ongoing federal shutdown as the reason why.
There have been numerous times in Ron’s political career where he has bucked the in-party political pressures to take a principled stand on a matter. This apparently isn’t one of those times.
Ron , Republicans have control of every branch of government using the shut down and blaming Democrats is a cop out you are letting Trump and Vance tell you what to do instead of the people of Ind.
That’s too bad about Alting’s decision to support mid cycle redistricting. I’m sure he could care less what my thoughts are though. Good luck Sen. when you look at yourself in the mirror.
I thought Ron was a better person than to fold and lick Trump's boots. Has no one explained to him why the Democrats in Congress are holding out...They are trying to protect us from huge cuits in medicare for one thing...Thank God they've got the balls Alting doesn't have
This is incredibly disappointing. Republicans have the power in their hands at any time to reopen the government. They are keeping it shut down in order to blame Democrats for it when it has been the Republicans’ decision all along. Trump is the one who started the call for redistricting in the middle of the term, beginning with Texas solely so he can get more Congressional seats unfairly. All of this is 100% wrong and unacceptable. Ron has compromised his integrity by going along with this sham.
Could not be more disappointed in Ron Alting, who has often been a more thoughtful Republican. He knows this is all a Trumpist farce and the best he could come up with is a lame excuse that has no bearing on the issue. Maybe they're threatening primary challenges to holdouts, but it's sad to see Alting show no backbone on this.
I thought this too, especially the laughable link to the shutdown. But it made me wonder, since this is so out of character, and Alting is a sly political survivor, if he might fear violence. He waited to make this announcement until it was widely known that redistricting did not have the votes. I don't think it matters that he is fending off a primary challenge from the right, because he isn't going to worry about that in Lafayette and he might retire anyway (source: Spencer Deery, to my face). You put all that together and by far the smallest hassle today and in your sunset years is to agree with the crazies, hoping it does not come to a vote. It is not a Profile in Courage but Alting has shown us he has a functional backbone (the abortion ban comes to mind). And it would hardly be the first R to kowtow to the Orange Caesar for the simple, sad reason that he does not have the Romney money required for private security.
It is not in any way an excuse for Ronnie. He should retire now, in peace and safety, and accept that his replacement will be a D. It will still be a supermajority.
I'm hopeful that legislators will all come around to opposing this redistricting, including Senator Alting. I am impressed with Senator Deery's continued candor on this issue. It is difficult to resist coordinated pressure like that which I understand is being placed on reps and senators.
So disappointing. I hope his constituents will keep calling and writing, it's not over until it's over. I'm sure he's been threatened, as they all have, we need to let him know we'll have his back if he changes his mind.
Ron Alting, like all ReTrumplican'ts, now serve their Master, claiming the shutdown is all about the Democrats intransigence.
If you haven't noticed, the ReTrumplican'ts hold all three branches of government (I am including the SCOTUS Trump-Lapdogs).
The sweetheart "Big Beautiful Bill" gives multi-benefits to billionaires and sucks money from the poor and working class.
Dems are only trying to keep medical insurance for the least of we. (Ron, you are familiar with Jesus's words...right?)
Trump does anything he wants, legal/illegal/immoral, and the other two branches claiming anyone who raises an issue for his lunacy as being a Communist/Marxist/Socialist.
Ron, in your time in office you once seemed to be somewhere between an independently right winger and a Daniels Republican.
It's obvious, you have seen the reality of ReTrumplican'tism and want your time at the Trump Trough.
You are too smart to have swallowed any "Trump-policy" since there ain't such a thing.
Therefore, you obviously have jumped on the bandwagon to sell your vote for a certain price.
I've been around NYC, Boston, and DC politics long enough to know that a fence sitter is paid off rather well on crucial votes.
So, "I needs ta know"*, was it higher than 30 pieces of silver?
‐‐------------------
* quote from the opening sequence of the movie "Dirty Harry," when the bank robber needed to know how many bullets Harry had left in his Magnum.
Thanks, Dave. Ron Alting, along with everyone else, has yet to say how the current maps, enacted in 2023, are unfair. Were they unfair when they were originally passed? What has changed since their adoption that has made them unfair?
All I ever see and read are people trying to justify the redistricting effort as a way for Republicans to get more seats.
"Given the current situation in Washington, D.C., I feel an obligation to help ensure my former colleagues are working with a strong Republican majority in the US House of Representatives."
I would ask Alting what he has done to try and convince everyone to sit down and talk about the issues preventing the government from reopening and work towards a solution. Every day on C-SPAN I hear about how no one is talking with each other, just at each other.
"[G]et federal spending under control, balance the federal budget, and address the out-of-control national debt." You know, those Republican words, the ones they always proclaim before doing something else.
Except our Duma is less credible than ever on those issues and adding more Republicans is coals to Newcastle.
Will Braun have the courage not to call a special session? History doesn't give me much hope.
Thanks for this reporting, Dave.
There have been numerous times in Ron’s political career where he has bucked the in-party political pressures to take a principled stand on a matter. This apparently isn’t one of those times.
Ron , Republicans have control of every branch of government using the shut down and blaming Democrats is a cop out you are letting Trump and Vance tell you what to do instead of the people of Ind.
Extremely disappointed in Sen. Alting. He KNOWS better than this. This ends my support for him. I hope kissing the ring was worth it.
That’s too bad about Alting’s decision to support mid cycle redistricting. I’m sure he could care less what my thoughts are though. Good luck Sen. when you look at yourself in the mirror.
I thought Ron was a better person than to fold and lick Trump's boots. Has no one explained to him why the Democrats in Congress are holding out...They are trying to protect us from huge cuits in medicare for one thing...Thank God they've got the balls Alting doesn't have
COWARD.
So disappointed in Ron’s decision.
This is incredibly disappointing. Republicans have the power in their hands at any time to reopen the government. They are keeping it shut down in order to blame Democrats for it when it has been the Republicans’ decision all along. Trump is the one who started the call for redistricting in the middle of the term, beginning with Texas solely so he can get more Congressional seats unfairly. All of this is 100% wrong and unacceptable. Ron has compromised his integrity by going along with this sham.
What is he getting?!? Please someone investigate his finances or follow up on possible quid pro quo. IN GOP is so corrupt.
Could not be more disappointed in Ron Alting, who has often been a more thoughtful Republican. He knows this is all a Trumpist farce and the best he could come up with is a lame excuse that has no bearing on the issue. Maybe they're threatening primary challenges to holdouts, but it's sad to see Alting show no backbone on this.
I thought this too, especially the laughable link to the shutdown. But it made me wonder, since this is so out of character, and Alting is a sly political survivor, if he might fear violence. He waited to make this announcement until it was widely known that redistricting did not have the votes. I don't think it matters that he is fending off a primary challenge from the right, because he isn't going to worry about that in Lafayette and he might retire anyway (source: Spencer Deery, to my face). You put all that together and by far the smallest hassle today and in your sunset years is to agree with the crazies, hoping it does not come to a vote. It is not a Profile in Courage but Alting has shown us he has a functional backbone (the abortion ban comes to mind). And it would hardly be the first R to kowtow to the Orange Caesar for the simple, sad reason that he does not have the Romney money required for private security.
It is not in any way an excuse for Ronnie. He should retire now, in peace and safety, and accept that his replacement will be a D. It will still be a supermajority.
I'm hopeful that legislators will all come around to opposing this redistricting, including Senator Alting. I am impressed with Senator Deery's continued candor on this issue. It is difficult to resist coordinated pressure like that which I understand is being placed on reps and senators.
So disappointing. I hope his constituents will keep calling and writing, it's not over until it's over. I'm sure he's been threatened, as they all have, we need to let him know we'll have his back if he changes his mind.
Ron Alting, like all ReTrumplican'ts, now serve their Master, claiming the shutdown is all about the Democrats intransigence.
If you haven't noticed, the ReTrumplican'ts hold all three branches of government (I am including the SCOTUS Trump-Lapdogs).
The sweetheart "Big Beautiful Bill" gives multi-benefits to billionaires and sucks money from the poor and working class.
Dems are only trying to keep medical insurance for the least of we. (Ron, you are familiar with Jesus's words...right?)
Trump does anything he wants, legal/illegal/immoral, and the other two branches claiming anyone who raises an issue for his lunacy as being a Communist/Marxist/Socialist.
Ron, in your time in office you once seemed to be somewhere between an independently right winger and a Daniels Republican.
It's obvious, you have seen the reality of ReTrumplican'tism and want your time at the Trump Trough.
You are too smart to have swallowed any "Trump-policy" since there ain't such a thing.
Therefore, you obviously have jumped on the bandwagon to sell your vote for a certain price.
I've been around NYC, Boston, and DC politics long enough to know that a fence sitter is paid off rather well on crucial votes.
So, "I needs ta know"*, was it higher than 30 pieces of silver?
‐‐------------------
* quote from the opening sequence of the movie "Dirty Harry," when the bank robber needed to know how many bullets Harry had left in his Magnum.
Thanks, Dave. Ron Alting, along with everyone else, has yet to say how the current maps, enacted in 2023, are unfair. Were they unfair when they were originally passed? What has changed since their adoption that has made them unfair?
All I ever see and read are people trying to justify the redistricting effort as a way for Republicans to get more seats.
"Given the current situation in Washington, D.C., I feel an obligation to help ensure my former colleagues are working with a strong Republican majority in the US House of Representatives."
I would ask Alting what he has done to try and convince everyone to sit down and talk about the issues preventing the government from reopening and work towards a solution. Every day on C-SPAN I hear about how no one is talking with each other, just at each other.
"[G]et federal spending under control, balance the federal budget, and address the out-of-control national debt." You know, those Republican words, the ones they always proclaim before doing something else.
Except our Duma is less credible than ever on those issues and adding more Republicans is coals to Newcastle.
Will Braun have the courage not to call a special session? History doesn't give me much hope.