Burnt Orange Report

University Democrats Visit Whitmire's Office

By Byron LaMasters

Two University Democrats officers are leading students to Sen. John Whitmire's office today (I would have gone, but I just found out about it and I have a 1 PM class) to express their disapproval. I respectfully disagree with Andrew and Jim (who I've spoken with about Whitmire), that this was inevitable and that Whitmire shouldn't be attacked because of what he did. I'm sorry, but the guy just left the other senators in the middle of the night without saying goodbye. That's inexcusable. And unlike other senators who have courageously stayed in New Mexico, despite their wife giving birth while in New Mexico (Ellis), or having recently had a heart attack (Lucio), Whitmire has no excuse. None. Zero. If they all decided to come home, then fine. But it should have been all together, united. Instead, the headlines this week blared, "Democrats in Disarray". And it's Whitmire's fault. And the arguement that they don't have the means to stay forever is silly. There are resources that could be used to help them out. They're our senators, and we elected them from safe Democratic districts because they're fighters and will do whatever is necessary to prevent the right wing from power grabs and changing the rules. I'm proud of my state senator Gonzalo Barrientos. As for John Whitmire, can I understand why he did what he did? Sure. Can I forgive it? Maybe. But am I happy? Hell no, and if I lived in his district and the Democratic primary were today, I'd vote against him in a second. Now, I'm not endorsing a challenge to him at this point. The jury is still out. He still may leave if another session is called. He may have an idea. I don't know. And regardless, I still hold him in much higher regard than the two "Democrats" who voted for redistricting in the House, Vilma Luna and Ron Wilson. Anyway, kudos to Ben and Bryant for taking the lead on this. I'd encourage any Democrats in Austin today to stop by Sen. Whitmire's office today (he's in town) and express your disapproval as well.

Bryant and I are going to lead groups to express our disapproval (how pissed we are) to our invertebrate friend senator Whitmire over his decision to be a real "Chicken D."

So Bryant will lead a group at 11, and I (Ben) will lead one at 12, and we
will go to Senator Whitmire's office and officially register our opinions.
We will meet in the area with the benches in front of the PCL and proceed to
the capitol by foot.

Join us! (I bet you didn't know we were coming apart) You're either with us,
or you're with Witless Whitmire.