PolitickerNJ is reporting that Rutgers University professor and former Eagleton Institute of Politics Director Alan Rosenthal is on the short list of both Republicans and Democrats to be selected by Chief Justice Rabner as the tie breaking member of the Redistricting Commission for 2011. Rosenthal has served in this position twice before, in 2001 and 1992. Aside from teaching, Rosenthal serves on the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards.
This year I am a Fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics and just finished a seminar class with Professor Rosenthal. I can say wholeheartedly that throwing Professor Rosenthal into this soon to be hyper-partisan process will be a good decision. He’s an incredibly fair and pragmatic person, and he takes the responsibility of the 11th seat very seriously. Being a veteran to the process, Rosenthal will be able to move things along and ensure that a decision will be made within the intended timeframe and that the commission meets its constitutional obligation of a fair and representative map.
However, nothing is set in stone. An 11th member does not even need to be named if the commission can come to an agreement before February 1st. But lets be honest, there is no way that is going to happen. With a Congressional seat disappearing from our map, the parties are going to war this year. This partisan bloodbath is going to need a proper moderator. Alan Rosenthal is the right person for that job.
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