Elections have consequences - and an opportunity to sidestep the Norquist pledge. Courtesy of GOPer Chris Gibson (NY-19), we get the justification to no longer follow the pledge because that was made to his constituents while part of NY-20. Redistricting allows him the opportunity to no longer heed the pledge.

Mr. Gibson saw his district number change from 20 to 19 during this year’s redistricting process and he reasoned that the pledge no longer applies to him as it was only to the constituents under the previous district number.

“The Congressman signed the pledge as a candidate in 2010 for the 20th Congressional District,” his spokeswoman explained. “Regarding the pledge moving forward, Congressman Gibson doesn’t plan to re-sign it for the 19th Congressional District, which he now represents (the pledge is to your constituents of a numbered district).”

Heh.