Democrats in the Legislature are spending their first week back from summer recess frantically redrawing the state’s congressional maps in response to redistricting efforts in Texas. They claim they are doing it to “protect democracy.” “We are trying to defend democracy as opposed to see it destroyed district by district,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a recent news conference. As longtime capitol watchers, we have a few cynical thoughts about the lofty motives expressed. But first, it should be noted that the California Democratic Party opposed the state’s independent redistricting commission when it was on the ballot. Second, the Democratic-controlled...