Burnt Orange Report
News, Politics, and Fun From Deep in the Heart of Texas
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Burnt Orange ReportNews, Politics, and Fun From Deep in the Heart of Texas |
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April 13, 2004Another Craddick "Democrat" FallsBy Byron LaMastersVeronica Gonzales has defeated Roberto Gutierrez with 71% of the vote (results here). This was the most important run-off race in my view. Last month three "Craddick Democrats" were defeated: Ron Wilson, Glen Lewis and Jaime Capelo. Today, we defeated a fourth one: Roberto Gutierrez. Veronica Gonzales defeated him in a landslide with 71% of the vote. Most importantly, Democratic voters have sent a message to our representatives this primary season. We've told our representatives that if you represent a Democratic district, we expect you to stand up to Speaker Tom Craddick and Tom DeLay and the right-wing agenda. It's a message that was sent to Ron Wilson, Glen Lewis, Jaime Capelo and Roberto Gutierrez. The defeats of the "Craddick Democrats" is larger than those four, though. It's sent shockwaves throughout the state house. Democrats who previously thought nothing of siding with the GOP leadership will now think twice. Take the thoughts of Norma Chavez last month from the El Paso Times:
Damn right it's changed. When Democrats had a majority and there was moderate to conservative Democratic leadership in House, it didn't matter too much if Democrats stayed in line. Now, Democrats are in the minority in the House, and most House Democrats represent overwhelmingly Democratic districts. Most Democratic primary voters expect our representatives to fight the right-wing Republican leadership tooth and nail. Democrats who work with the right-wing Craddick House leadership will pay for their decisions. They have this cycle, and Democrats who side with Tom Craddick in the next session will pay for their decisions in 2006. Posted by Byron LaMasters at April 13, 2004 10:02 PM | TrackBackComments
Byron, Correction: It's Abel Herrero, not Herrera. Also, Veronica Gonzales pulled off a win tonight in House District 41 tonight. That's good news, no doubt. But while everyone seems to have been harping on the Gonzales-Gutierrez race, Democrats should be far more relieved that Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles defeated Rep. Gabi Canales in State House District 35. Canales was far more of a threat to the standing of the Democratic party in the long term than Gutierrez ever was simply because he was a conservative. Canales was an embarrassment. She sure didn't win any ethics awards during her first term. An attorney, she used her legislative power to get delays for clients' trials during the session. She was also charged with drunk driving. Gutierrez wasn't causing THAT much trouble. I don't know if you've given Canales a pass because she was a good soldier and went to Ardmore or if you just didnt think this race was as worthy of mention. Either way, Canales needed to be out. p.s. Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles will be facing conservative former UT Student Body Vice President Eric Opiela in the general election. I'm sure she would appreciate the support of your readers. :-) My apologies regarding Herrero. It's been corrected. I'm glad Canales lost as well. I'll mention it. Posted by: Byron L at April 13, 2004 10:14 PMDemocrats Sam Nunn, Lee Hamilton, J.F.Kennedy and even B. Clinton would not be very welcomed in this crowd. Look at all the legislation passed and signed in the 90's with a democratic minority. You need to work with the other party. You guys don't get it...too much Austin air i guess. Look at Idaho, your party only fielded 45 people for 135 statewide post. Even let the first term senator run without a democrat challenger. Posted by: peter at April 13, 2004 10:48 PMI'm all for working with the other party, but Speaker Tom Craddick led from the far right wing. Democrats have no business working with him... Sam Nunn, Lee Hamilton, J.F.Kennedy and Bill Clinton are all welcome in my company. They are all good Democrats and good Americans, but I doubt that any of them would put up with the crap that the Craddick House leadership pushes through. Posted by: Byron L at April 13, 2004 10:55 PMByron is right. Bipartisanship does NOT mean signing up for extreme Right-Wing legislation. If Craddick were sensible on some things, Democrats should have worked with him. Instead, Craddick was taking marching orders from the "owners' box," and the Democrats had no business going along. Sometimes, a legislator has to realize NO legislation is better than SOME legislation when the nuts are running the show. Posted by: WhoMe? at April 14, 2004 07:34 AMThe argument against Gutierrez was not just that he was Rick Perry's go-to Hispanic for education cuts. He also had a bad habit of not paying his taxes, at one point owing more than half a million dollars in business and personal income taxes. The man was a sad old joke. Posted by: Jason at April 14, 2004 11:16 AMHow is useing Idaho as an example relevant? We get our butts kicked in Utah as well. I don't think we're one bipartisan awakening away from winning over the entire Mormon religion. This is the same thing thats happening the Northeastern states. People who are moderates are asking whats the point of electing moderate Republicans to the house if all they ever do is shore up right wing fanatic Delay party line votes. Bipartisan spirit was killed in the 1990's by the GOP. To expect the Democratic party to try to resurrect it in the face of an opposition that consitently lies and deceives to win is not going to work. Glad to read about this happening, its about time. Posted by: Windowdog at April 15, 2004 03:14 PMPost a comment
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