Charitably, New York Democrats were probably afraid that if Republicans sued successfully, a court could redraw the map with no solicitude for Democratic incumbents. They were trying to protect themselves, with little concern for national Democrats. But if Republicans had sued to thwart a gerrymander and won, the cost would have been minimal: The Legislature would merely have to try again.
Instead, it didn’t even try, choosing instead to shore up its individual fates at the expense of the party broadly.
Emphasis mine.
civil politics in action
Civil religion politics no less.