Another Reason Whitmire Should have Stayed in NM
By Byron LaMasters
Today, Sen Whitmire decided that he would stay in Texas for good:
Sen. John Whitmire ended all speculation today that he might once again break for the state's border and deny Republicans the vote they need to have a Senate quorum on congressional redistricting.
"I intend to fight redistricting on the Senate floor. I will be here," said Whitmire, D-Houston, in a news conference on the Senate floor.
So you'd think that Republicans here would be embracing him, right? They talked so much about how much they wanted their collegues back. Well they got one back, and what do they do?
Sen. Whitmire originally planned to hold his news conference in the Lieutenant Governor's Press Conference Room. But a resolution passed by Senate Republicans last month barred him from using that room until he paid $57,000 in fines for breaking the Senate's quorum.
"It's a sad day when a senator can't use the press room," Whitmire said.
Instead of embracing Sen. Whitmire and asking to work with him, Republicans decide to treat him like crap. The message? The Republicans in power are not interested in negotiating. They'll do whatever it takes, legal or illegal, precedented or unprecedented to get what they want. Republicans have set the tone both in Texas and in Washington. Democrats have a choice. They can lay down and take it, or we can fight like hell. How long will it take for us to get it?
Posted by Byron LaMasters at September 5, 2003 03:02 PM
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Oh, puh-lease!
From Thursday's Dallas Morning News:
"'I have no doubt that he will be rewarded upon his return to Austin by those whom he serves,' Mr. Shapleigh said."
Look me in the eye and tell me that if Lt. Gov. Dewhurst had suddenly waived all the fines and penalties against only Sen. Whitmire, his Dem colleagues wouldn't have cried "Quisling! Collusion!" all the louder. (And you with them.)
