(Newser)
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The South is gaining population and power at the expense of the Northeast and Midwest, according to Census Bureau estimates released yesterday. If House seats were distributed based on the estimates, which are believed to be a strong predictor of the 2010 census results, Texas would be the big winner, gaining three seats, with Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington each adding one.
Ohio would lose two seats, while Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania would each be down one, USA Today reports. The figures attest to a long-running trend, and it’s one that favors Republicans. With those totals in place, Barack Obama’s margin of victory over John McCain would have been 12 points lower.
