High court wades into Texas political shootout

From Bill Mears
CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared reluctant to throw out the Texas congressional map that resulted in a Republican majority in the state's congressional delegation.

But concerns were expressed by the justices over several districts that Democrats say disenfranchised Hispanic voters.

The justices spent a rare two-hour afternoon session trying to sort out the controversy over the Texas voter redistricting plan promoted by Republicans, including former majority leader Rep. Tom DeLay. The measure led to the 2004 ouster of five Democratic incumbents from Congress, and sparked a bitter partisan battle.

"The Republicans said, 'We think we can get a better deal,' " said Justice David Souter, asking whether that was a legitimate exercise of political power. (Watch the court step into a Texas feud -- 2:08)

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