Virginia Approves Redistricting

The Real Clear Politics podcast episode on April 22, 2026, opens with a sponsor segment for Mizzen & Main, followed by a heated discussion on the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) being indicted on fraud charges for allegedly paying informants within white nationalist groups. Hosts Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon argue that the SPLC has long been a fraudulent organization, orchestrating events like the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville and labeling conservative groups as hate groups. They criticize the media for perpetuating the 'fine people on both sides' myth and accuse the SPLC of enabling censorship and violence. The conversation shifts to Virginia’s recent redistricting referendum, which passed 51.5% to 48.5%, allowing Democrats to redraw congressional maps in their favor. The hosts condemn the move as undemocratic, arguing it disenfranchises nearly half the state’s voters and sets a precedent for permanent partisan advantage. They warn that eliminating the filibuster could enable further democratic erosion. Later, Dr. Corey Franklin discusses measles outbreaks, challenging the narrative that low childhood vaccination rates are the main cause, and instead suggests under-vaccinated immigrants from Ukraine may be a key factor. He calls for collecting country of origin data to inform public health policy, despite concerns about stigmatization. The episode closes with a preview of upcoming Democratic primaries in D.C. and California, highlighting ideological divides on crime and governance.